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Why another sect: 



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WHY ANOTHER SECT 



/ 

CONTAINING A 



EEVIEW OF ARTICLES BY 



BISHOP SIMPSON AND OTHERS 



FREE METHODIST CHURCH. 



By rev. B. T. ROBERTS, A. M. 



" He that is first in his own cause, seemeth just : but his 
neighbor cometh and searcheth him." — Prov. xviii, 17. 



ROCHESTER, N. Y. : 

"THE EARNEST CHBISTIAN" PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
1879 



Entered according to. act of Congress in the year 1879 

By benjamin T. ROBERTS, 

in the office of the Libiarian of Congress at Washington, D. C, 




DEDIOATIOI^. 



Paul, in writing to the Hebrew Christians, says: 
" But call to remembrance the former days, in which, 
after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight 
of afflictions ; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing 
stock, both by reproaches and afflictions ; and partly, 
whilst ye became companions of them that were so 
used. For ye had compassion of me in ray bonds, 
and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing 
in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an 
endurmg substance." — Heb. x, 32-34. 

The spirit of primitive Christianity still survrves. 
When a number of preachers were expelled from the 
Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church, on .account 
of their fidelity to God, there were those that rallied 
around them and held up their hands. 

To those who gladly suffered, for Christ's sake, ex- 
clusion from privileges which they prized, and from 
churches which they had helped build, this simple 
narrative of events in which they participated, is in- 
scribed by their brother, 

B. T. ROBBETS. 



PREFACE. 



Twenty years ago, I sat in a little room in 
the village of Perry, Wyoming County, N.Y., 
awaiting tlie verdict of the Q-enesee Conference 
of the M. E. Church, which was to sever me 
from religious associations which I had formed, 
as I supposed, for life. I was a Methodist 
from conviction ; and as a Methodist preacher 
I had endeavored to do my duty. My ministry 
had been successful ; and my standing, both 
among the people, and in the Conference, was 
all that I could have desired. But issues came 
up, relating to the nature of the religion wliich 
we were to spread, and I felt called upon to 
take sides with Methodism as we had received 
it trorS the fathers — with holiness and truth. 
But the ruling influence was against us, 
and its leaders were exasperated by their 
growing unpopularity with the people. 
While awaiting their, decision — a decision 
which I had no doubt had been pre-determined 
upon before the trial begun, I was troubled 
most with the reflection that now we should 
have nothing to do in the blessed cause of Grod. 
But immediately I seemed to hear the voice of 
the Master saying, "I will give you plenty to 



PREFACE. 

do." I opened raj, Bible to these words, which 
were applied to my heart with all the force of 
a direct revelation : ' ' Therefore thus saith the 
Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee 
again, and thou shalt stand before me : and if 
thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou 
shalt be as my mouth : let them return unto 
thee ; but retiirn not thou unto them. And I 
will make thee unto this people a fenced bra- 
zen wall : and they shall fight against thee, but 
they shall not prevail against thee > for I am 
with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, 
saith the Lord." — Jer. xv, 19, 20. These 
words have given us encouragement and 
strength ever since. 

The next evening, the large Baptist church 
of the village was opened, and to a crowded, 
sympathizing audience, the expelled ministers 
set forth, at length, the issues on which we were 
thrust out. From that day to this, we have 
not lacked the sympathy and fellowship of 
devout people of all denominations. 

When thfe committee of the General Con- 
ference of i860, selected to hear our appeal, 
refused, in utter violation of a plain provision 
of the Constitution of the M. E. Church, to 
entertain it, I said, I appeal to God and 
THE PEOPLE. This appeal has been entertained; 
and, so far as we have the means of knowing. 



vi PREFACE. 

the decision has been favorable. Here we 
should have let the matter rest, but those op- 
posed to us will not permit it. They have 
published, and sanctioned the most bare-faced, 
flagrant falsehoods, which they intend shall 
pass as a history of the affair. We should be 
wanting in our duty to the cause which is 
dearer to us than life, and to the noble men 
and women who have given us their confi- 
dence, if we allowed these falsehoods to pass 
uncontradicted. 

With the doctrines and government of the 
M. E. Church we have no controversy. For 
many of its ministers and members we have a 
sincere respect and affection. But its Q-eneral 
Conference, its highest representative body, has 
committed against us, and others, acts of the 
greatest injustice. In making this charge we 
liave no resentment to gratify. They meant it 
for evil — God meant it for good. 

Grod has always had a church upon earth. It 
is one in spirit — in outward forms many. An- 
ciently there was one Israel — but twelve tribes. 
In former years the most bloody persecutions 
arose from the effort to prodace uniformity 
where Q-od meant there should be only unity. 
At the present, the most fierce, relentless, big- 
oted sectarians are those who make it their 
business to denounce all sects. Reform sin the 



PREFACE. • , vii 

church have generally been effected by new or- 
ganizations which have re-acted upon the old, 
and infused into them new life and vigor. The 
Roman Catholic Church was greatly improved 
by the formation of Protestant churches. The 
Established Church of England has been more 
spiritual in its tone, and more evangelical in its 
teachings since the days of Wesley and 
Whit^lield. In this country the mouths of 
Methodist preachers were closed on the subject 
of slaveholding, until the Wesleyan church 
was organized. After that event, those who 
advocated the rights of the slaves were not 
persecuted, for fear they would join the 
Wesleyans. 

So, the Free Methodist Chubch is exerting 
a salutary influence upon the parent body. 
Doctrines and practices which would scarcely 
be tolerated when we were thrust out, are be- 
coming popular. The Rev. Wm. B. Osboene, 
one of the most devoted, self-sacrificing 
leaders of the Holiness Movement, now of the 
India Conference, said at one of our camp 
meetings in New Jersey : " / have coTne fifty 
miles to thank the Free Methodists for the pri- 
vilege I have of preaching holiness in the M. 
E. Church, unmolested^ No notice is taken 
of ministers in that church who publish in the 
papers articles which reflect upon the church 



viii PREFACE. 

ft 
mucli more severely than the one did for wri- 
ting which we were expelled. 

The multiplication of sects which do not dif- 
fer essentially from those already in existence 
is to be deplored. But the Free Methodist 
Chuech is not one of this kind. It is the only 
one with which we are acquainted that requires 
of every person, who joins it in full connection, 
to give an affirmative answer to the question, 
"Have you that perfect love which casfceth out 
fear? If not, will you diligently seek until 
you obtain it?" In all its church edifices it is re- 
quired — not that there be free seats — but that all 
the seats be ft-ee. It has a mission from God to 
hold up the New Testament standard of relig- 
ion; and to preach the Gospel to the poor. In 
this work it should not be embarrassed by un- 
true and slanderous reports as to its origin, in 
books claiming the dignity of a history, or the 
arch'-dignity of an encyclopedia. 

With the leading facts which I narrate in 
this volume, I was personally acquainted. I 
have endeavored to state them plainly, in a 
Christian spirit, and without the slightest 
exaggeration. I have given proofs which can 
not be set aside without practically denying 
the validity of human testimony. But I am 
conscious of laboring under this great disad- 
vantage : the action of the Genesee Conference, 



PREFACM. ix 

sustained by the General Conference, was so 
'jinjnst and unprovoked — so contrary to any- 
thing which we might look for in a body of 
respectable men, even though they laid no 
claim to piety, that the plainest narrative of 
the events, looks like wild exaggeration. But 
I have endeavored to give the simple truth, 
without the slightest coloring. I have read 
my manuscript to several intelligent, judicious 
brethren, familiar with the the facts, and they 
give it theii' hearty indorsement. 

It is but justice to say, that notwithstanding 
our position on secret societies, some well 
known Masons, both in the Conference and 
out of it, stood by us heartily through the 
entire conflict. They insisted that it was a 
gross perversion of Masonry, to use it as a 
means for controlling the affairs of a church. 

There are some who judge of actions by the 
position occupied by those who do them. 
From such we do not expect a favorable ver- 
dict. There are others who feel free to con- 
demn a wrong, whoever perpetrates it, and we 
ask the candid attention of these to the follow- 
ing pages. B. T. Roberts. 

ROCHESTEK, ISr.Y., AXJGTJST 6, 1879. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

BISHOP SIMPSON ON THE FBBB METHODIST CHURCH. 

"The Cyclopedia of Methodism" — Letter to 
Bishop Simpson -His Reply — Reply exam- 
ined—The Cyclopedia article on " The Free 
Methodists," ... . 15-21 

CHAPTER II. 

NAZABITE ORGANIZATION. 

Did it exist in reality ? — Denial of its existence — 
" Genesee Conference Matters," quoted 
from the Northern Independent — Who the 
Seventeen Signers of this Article were — 
Their Character estimated — Asa Abell — J. 
P.Kent— Samuel C. Church— Charles D. Bur- 
lingham — Amos Hard — Statements of Jo- 
seph McCreery — Infallibility of Genesee 
Conference questioned — Value of a Con- 
ference Vote, . 22-43 

CHAPTER III. 

FACTS IN THE CASE. 

Transition State of the M. E. Church— The Sla- 
very Question — Two Parties — Rise of North- 
ern Independent — Masonry a disturbing Ele- 
ment — Conference at Buffalo, 1848 — The 
Crisis — Promoters of Holiness — Asa Abell — 
Eleazer Thomas — William C. Kendall— 
Loren Stiles — Isaac C. Kingsley— Charles D. 
BurUngham — Bishop Hamline — Attacks by 
the Buffalo Advocate, . . . 44^63 



CONTENTS. xi 

CHAPTER IV. 

SECRET MEETINGS. 

The Secret Society men in secret Meeting — ^Orig- 
inal Minutes of one Meeting— Testimony 
that Secret Meetings were held— Of Sanford 
Hunt— Of Thomas Carlton Of D.F.Parsons 
—Acts of the Association— Sketch of Wil- 
liam C. Kendall— His Labors and Death- 
Letter from Seymour Coleman, . . 64-82 

CHAPTER V. 

'^; RELISIOSr OF THE MAJORITY. 

New School Methodists— Article on" New School 
Methodism," in full — Buffalo Advocate on 
" Religious Interests in Buffalo" - Comments 
of the Northern Independent upon the re- 
port on "The State of the WorJi," in 1865- 
Report of Conference Minutes for 1858 and 
1878, contrasted — Jesse T. Peck on the relig- 
ous condition of the M. B. Church at that 
time— Dr. Newman, 83-113 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE PROSCRIBED RELIGION. 

Accounts of it by its Opposers — Favorable Testi- 
mony of its Character by Rev. Win. Reddy 
— By Rev. B. I. Ives, in his account of the 
"Bergen Camp-meeting" in 1858 — By Rev. 
J. T. Crawford, in published account of Ber- 
gen Camp Meeting^ 1859— By Rev. Ira A. 
Weaver, J. Palmer and others, ... 1 13—137 

CHAPTER VII. 

CHURCH TRIALS. 

Joseph McCreery — Complaints of Enoch Pease 
against three Preachers — Genesee Confer- 



xii CONTENTS. 

ence covering Fraud — Desperation of the 
Regency -Ch&rges against B. T. Roberts 
and William C. KendaU - Trial of B. T. 
Roberts— He is Admonished — Work on the 
Pekin Circuit, 138-158 

CHAPTER VIII. 

TWO EXPULSIONS. 

The Estes Pamphlet — Greorge W. Estes re- 
sponsible for it — Charges against B. T. 
Roberts — Counsel refused— Change of Ve- 
nue refused— Trial by Committee refused- 
Testimony in the matter of the Estes 
Pamphlet — C. D. Burlingham on the Ver- 
dict for Expulsion— Trial of Joseph Mc- 
Creery — His account of his Trial — Appeals 
to the General Conference— B. T. Roberts 
and Joseph McCreery join on Probation — 159-190 

CHAPTER IX. 

laymen's convention. 

Convention called by One Hundred Laymen 
meets at Albion, 1858— Resolutions adopted 
— Course of the Northern Christian Advo- 
cate, 191-305 

CHAPTER X. 

WAR AGAINST THE MEMBERS. 

Arraigned for Praying — The Case' of Claudius 
Brainard — Expelled for attending the Lay- 
men's Convention — His Appeal disregarded 
— Reason for voting against his appeal- 
Others expelled at Chili— Trial of Thomas 
B. Catton — Of Jonathan Handley— Of Jas. 
H. Brooks — Second Laymen's Convention 
called, . 206-317 



CUNTSNTS. xiii 

CHAPTER XL 

MORB PREACHERS EXPELLED. 

Powers of a Conference— Charges against Rev. 
L. Stiles— Expelled for keeping the rules of 
the Discipline- Case of Charles D. Burling- 
ham — Case of Rev. WilUam Cooley — Appeal 
of Rev. John A. Wells^If oHhern Indepen- 
dent on the Expulsion of these Ministers- 
Death of Rev. L. Stiles — Funeral Sermon by 
Rev. W. Hosmer — Notice of the career of 
some of the Expelled Ministers in years sub- 
sequent to their Expulsion— Second Lay- 
men's Convention at Albion, March, 1859 — 
Its Proceedings — Encouragement to the 
Regency, 318-263 

CHAPTER XIL 

EXPULSION BY WHOLESALE.. 

Speech of Thomas Carlton atBrockport Confer- 
ence — How a Preacher can get a majority in 
a Quarterly Conference — Rev. A. Li.Chapin's 
career at East Otto — Proceedings of S. M. 
Hopkins at Le Roy— B. P. McNeal, on the 
Tonawanda and Ridgeville Circuit, adopts 
a similar policy— Case of Rev. Henry Horns- 
by— The Work in Illinois— Dr. Redfield at 
St. Charles— Expulsions in Illinois — What 
came of them, 263-378 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE APPEALS. 

General Conference of 1860— A Resolution to in- 
' vestigate Genesee Conference matters op- 
posed by James M. Puller— Loyalty defined 
— Court of Appeals — The Appeals not enter- 
tained — Final Appeal — Bishop Simpson's 



xiv CONTENTS. 

Statement denied— Provisions of the M. B. 
Discipline examined — Rev. William Hosmer 
on the Appeal Cases — Appeal of Rev. C. D. 
Burlingham— Remarkable decision — Action 
of the General Conference reviewed— Expe- 
dients of Thomas Carlton—" Official Exposi- 
tion of Law,"; 379-303 

CHAPTER XIV. 

BBVIBWS. 

Bishop Simpson's Article on "The Free Meth- 
odists " reviewed — Untrue statements — . 
Conable's "History of the Genesee Con- 
ference — A Remarkable Book — False State- 
ments alleged and proved — History of the 
Bergen Camp Ground — Measures of the 
Regency to obtain possession — Result of 
a suit-at-law, 804-316 

CHAPTER XV. 

CONCLUSION. 

Summary of the Points Proved against the Gen- 
esee Conf eren ce of the M. E. Church — against 
the M. E. Church at large — and its Histori- 
ans^Personal Attitude of the Author, . 317-319 

APPENDIX. 

Facts and Statistics relative to the " Free Meth- 
odist Church," from its organization in 1860, 
to the General Conference in 1878 . . . 320-321 



WHY ANOTHER SECT. 



CHAPTER I. 

BISHOP SIMPSON OW THE FEEE METHODIST 
CHTTECH. 

"The Cyclopedia of Methodism," is a new 
book, edited by M. Simpson, D. D., one of the 
Bishops of the M. E. Church. 

A cyclopedia is a book which no one should 
write without the utmost candor, and great 
patience of research. The brilliancy of ima- 
gination which'may fit one to shine as an orator 
or an essayist, should have no {)lay in compi- 
ling sober facts, or established truths. A history 
is often read for entertainment, as well as for 
instruction ; but a cyclopedia is useful only as 
a book of reference ; and if its statements can 
not be relied upon, it is worthless. 

Of the necessity of fairness the Bishop ap- 
pears to have been fully mindful when he 
wrote his preface, and singularly forgetful 
when he "admitted his article on "The Free 
Methodist Church." This article contains 
several important misrepresentations. This 
we undertake to establish to the . satisfaction 



16 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

of every candid mind, notwithstanding the 
difficulty of proving a negative. 

We do not charge the Bishop vsrith vsrilfuUy 
misrepresenting a single fact. With his mo- 
tives vpe have nothing to do. We would not, 
knowingly, do him the slightest injustice. 
But false statements, coming from a reputable 
source, do not need to proceed from malice, to 
be capable of doing so much harm as to de- 
mand correction. 

Soon after reading the article referred to, we 
wrote the Bishop as follows : 

RocHESTEK, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1878. 
Rev. M. Simpson, D. D., 

Bishop of the M. E. Church. 

Deab Sir : I think when one makes incorrect state- 
ments, he should have the privilege of correcting them. 
I therefore take the liberty to address you in reference 
to the articl6 in your " Cyclopedia of Methodism," on 
the Free Methodist Church. In your preface you 
say : " The aim has been to give a fair, and impartial 
view of every branch of the Methodist family. For 
this purpose, contributors and correspondents were se- 
lected, as far as practicable, who were identified with 
the several branches, and who from their position, 
were best qualified to furnish information as to their 
respective bodies." 

Either no such selection was made from the Free 
Methodists, or the information which they furnished, 
with the exception of the bare statistics, was not 



CYCLOPMDIA OF MBTHODISM. 17 

given to the public in that article. In either case, 
what becomes of the claim of fairness ? 

In this article there are some fifteen statements or 
re-statements, which are utterly untrue, and some 
five or six statements which, though in a sense true, 
yet are, from the manner in which they are made, 
misleading. 

If furnished with proof, satisfactory to candid 
minds, that these statements referred to are untrue, 
and misleading, will you correct them in the church 
periodicals, and in future editions of your hook ? If 
not, will you give the authority upon which the state- 
ments complained of, are made ? 

Yours most respectfully, 

B. T. ROBBETS. 

To this the Bishop replied as follows : 

Philadelphia, Oct. 23, 1878. 
Rev. B. T. Roberts. 

Deae Sie : Returning home from a long tour in 
the west, I find your letter of September 13th, com- 
plaining of inaccuracies in the article on Free Meth- 
odism, but without specifying what those inaccuracies 
are. 

I am not aware of any incorrect statements in the 
article, but if you will furnish me with corrections 
and the accompanying proofs, I will gladly make any 
alterations in a future edition, should such edition be 
called for. I desire to have perfect accuracy in every 
article, and it will give me as much pleasure to cor- 
rect, as it can you to furnish the corrections. 
Yours truly, 

M. SiMPsoiir. 



18 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

On reading this letter, the intelligent reader 
will notice : 

1. That the Bishop fully assumes the respon- 
sibility for the accuracy of the article in 
question. 

2. That he does not, even if convinced of 
inaccuracies, offer to correct them, until a fu- 
ture edition of his booJc is called for, and not 
at all unless such edition is called for, leaving 
the article, meantime, to create all the prejudice, 
and do all the injustice of which it is capable. 

3. That he gives no authority for his state- 
ments. 

4. That he does not profess, as claimed in 
his preface, in order ' ' to give a fair and im- 
partial view" of this " branch of the Methodist 
family," to have selected a '-contributor" 
from the Free Methodists who was ' ' identified' ' 
with it, and who, ' ' from his position was best 
qualified to give information" as to his partic- 
ular body. Nor does he give any reason why 
this was not considered " practicable," In the 
city where he resides, were men capable of 
giving such information ! 

We copy, from the Cyclopedia, the article 
which contains the statements of which we 
complain. For the sake of reference, we have 
marked the clauses which we consider untrue, 
with figures ; and those which are mislead- 



CYCLOPEDIA OF MBTHODISM. 19 

ing, with, letters. We give the article entire, 
except the statistics. 

"THB FBBB METHODIST CHUECH." 

" The organization of the Free Methodist Church 
dates from August 23, 1860, at a convention com- 
posed of ministers and laymen, who had been mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but became 

dissatisfied with the workings of its government. 
Though organized at that date, the movement com- 
menced several years earlier, within the bounds of 
the Genesee Conference, and originated in an ^asso- 
ciation of ministers, who ^thought they had not been 
properly treated by the leading men of the confer- 
ence. ^They privately adopted a platform, and in 
this ^organization were known as ' Nazarites.' In 
their writings, and speeches, they complained of the 
decline of spirituality in the church, ''charging the 
church with tolerating, for the sake of gain, the 
worldly practices of its members, and its departure, 
both in doctrine and discipline, from the teachings of 
the fathers; <=They professed themselves to be moved 
by the Holy Spirit, and believed it was their duty to 
bear open testimony against what they alleged to be 
the sins of the church. This ^organization, and its 

^publications, containing such charges against the 
leading members of the Conference, led in 1855, to a 
very unpleasant state of feeling, and resulted in 
various church trials. In ''1858, two of the leaders 
were expelled from the Conference ; they appealed to 
the ensuing General Conference, held at Buffalo in 
1860 ; but as they had Sdeclined to recognize the 
authority of the church, and ^had continued to exercise 



20 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

their ministry, and to organize societies, the General 
Conference declined to entertain the appeal. Even 
previous to the trial, %ome of the ministers had 
established appointments, and "organized societies in 
opposition to the regular church services. 

At the organization of this church in 1860, they 
accepted the doctrines of Methodism, as contained in 
the Articles of Religion, and placed a special stress 
on Christian perfection, or sanctification. They 
added an additional article which says : ' Those that 
are sanctified wholly, are saved from all inward sin, 
from evil thoughts and evil tempers. No wrong 
temper, none contrary to love, remains in the soul. 
All their thoughts, words and actions, are governed 
by pure love. 

Entire sanctification takes place subsequently to 
justification, and is the work of God, wrought instan- 
taneously upon the consecrated, believing soul. After 
a soul is cleansed from all sin, it is then fully prepared 
to grow in grace.' 

They also added a second article on future rewards 
and punishments. 

<=In church polity, the name of bishop was aban- 
doned, and a general superintendency substituted. 
The ^conference organizations were retained as in the 
M. E. Church, and laymen, in' numbers equal to the 
ministers, were admitted into each of these bodies. 
«The name of presiding elder was changed to that of 
district chainnan. No one is admitted as a member, 
even after probation, without a confession of saving 
f aij;h in Christ. The i%eason alleged by them is, that 
much of the defection in other Methodist churches, is 
due to the fact that multitudes who have joined the 



CYCLOPEDIA OF METHODISM. 21 

church as inquirers, have failed to pursue a strictly 
spiritual life. 'They also require their members to 
be exceedingly plain in their dress, and they prohibit 
any one connected with the church from being a 
member of any secret society. They require not only 
abstinence from intoxicating liquors, but also from 
the use of tobacco, except as a medicine. 

In its early history, some of its leaders encour- 
aged a spirit of wild ^^fanaticism, claiming i^the 
power of healing by the laying on of hands. In i^many 
cases the excitement connected with their meetings 
passed into extravagance, which was sanctioned by 
their leading men, as being evidence of the influence 
of the Holy Spirit. As the denomination has pro- 
gressed, and has extended its boundaries, though their 
services are still characterized by much fervor, there 
is less of these manifestations. The Free Methodist 
Church is confined almost exclusively to the ISTorthern 
states. There are at present ten annual conferences, 
which report for 1876, the following statistics." 

We give statistics in full in the appendix. 



CHAPTER II. 

WAZAEITE ORGANIZATIOW. 

Men sometimes become so impressed with 
hearing a matter frequently repeated that they 
finally believe it, not only without evidence, 
but in opposition to positive evidence to the 
contrary. This appears to be the case with 
Bishop Simpson, in reference to the "Nazarite 
Union," or " Band." That there was such an 
organization among the members of the Gen- 
esee Conference of the M. E. Church, was 
confidently affirmed, both in private and 
through the press ; though we can hardly see 
how it is possible that those making such 
affirmation did not know that it was false. But 
the statement is still made, as confidently as 
though it were a conceded tsict. 

It was talked of at the time as fully proved, 
by those who opposed the doctrine of holiness, 
as specially advocated by the men who were 
charged with being members of such an organ- 
ization. Official papers of the Church helped 
on the delusion. Though it was emphatically 
denied by those members of the Genesee 
Conference who had knowledge of the matter, 
and who were supposed to belong to the 



NAZARITE ORGANIZATION. 33 

"Nazarite Band," no notice whatever was 
taken of their denial. And from Bishop 
Simpson' s book, it appears that the statement 
is still clung to with great pertinacity. Is it 
on the principle that a story often told is at 
last believed ? Or is it because it is the only 
shadow of an excuse that can be made for an 
act of ecclesiastica^l tyranny and proscription, 
which, looking back upon after the lapse of 
twenty years, we deliberately pronounce to be 
without a parallel in modern times, for its in- 
justice ? 

We shall give proofs so conclusive that no 
such organization ever existed, as to forever 
set the question at rest with every person who 
lays the slightest claim to candor. 

And first, we call attention to the following 
paper, which was prepared and signed by the 
men who were supposed to . be prominent in 
the ' ' Nazarite organization. ' ' It was published 
at the time in the Northern Independent, and 
in a fly-sheet form. A copy was given to Bishop 
Simpson. 

" GENESEE CONFERENCE MATTERS. 

BEAD AlfD THEN JUDGE. 

Certain reports having been put into circulation, 
charging a portion of the Ministers of the Genesee 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
the disreputable and unworthy act, of having organ- 



34 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

ized a society "bearing certain marks of secrecy" 
under the name of the "Nazarite Band or^Union," 
the ohjec'/ of which, it has been reported, is to con- 
trol the appointments, and direct the affairs of the 
Conference ; and this charge implicating many of 
our Ministers as taking steps unworthy the Christian, 
and derogatory to the Ministerial character : 

Therefore, "We, the undersigned. Members of ' the 
Genesee Conference, hereby declare, that after careful 
inquiry, we are fully convinced that no such society 
has ever existed in the bounds of this Conference. 
The whole excitement with reference to the supposed 
organization, grew out of certain letters, indicating 
the existence of such a society, written by a single 
individual, who, on the floor of the Olean Conference 
in 1855, publicly declared, that he alone was respon- 
sible for the whole affair. These letters were written 
without our knowledge, and have never received our 
approval. Though the existence of such a society 
has been repeatedly denied, in various ways and on 
numerous occasions, yet in public and in private, and 
especially through the columns of the .Buffalo Chris- 
tian ^<^«ocafe, these reports have been spread abroad, 
to the injury of the Ministerial reputation, and 
Christian influence and usefulness of numbers of our 
Ministers, by creating an unjust prejudice against 
them; among whom are some of our most able and 
efficient men. 

Connected with the charge of association, is that 
of encouraging fanaticism, and extravagance in re- 
ligious exercises and worship. This charge we declare 
to be- as groundless as the other. We have never 
encouraged excesses, and with them we have not the 



NAZARITE ORGANIZATION. 25 

le^st sympathy. But while we stand opposed to all 
improprieties in religious exercises and worship, we 
declare ourselves in favor of a consistent and vitalized 
religion; not a dead formalism, but the power of 
Godliness. Not that form of religion that expresses 
itself in confused irregularities on the one hand, or 
on the other, in sermons without life and without 
adaptation, — the abandonment of social meetings, 
and the neglect of family and private prayer; but in 
a religion that moves the heart, and prompts to every 
good work; not of beneficence alone, but also of 
devotion. 

These charges then, of forming an association or 
encouraging fanaticism, having their origin, in the 
opinion of some, in ambition and jealousy; made and 
reiterated, it has been feared, with a design and for 
effect — if applied to ics, we unhesitatingly pronounce 
to, be unjust, iniquitous, slanderous and false. 

A. Abbll, Isaac C. Kingslbt, 

John P. Kent, C. D. Buelingham, 

Samuel C. Chuech, A. Haed, 

LoEEBN Stiles, Je., B. T. Robbbts, 

John B. Jenkins, E. S. Fueman, 

W. GoBDON, R. E. Thomas, 
A. W. Luce, Daniel B. Lawton, 

J. MiLLBE, Wm. Kellogg, 

Le Roy, September 1857. J. Bowman." 

The seventeen members of the Genesee Con- 
ference who signed this emphatic denial, were 
prominent among those commonly designated 
as " Nazarites." If there was any such associ- 



26 WHY ANOTHBR 8MCT. 

ation, they must have known it ; for they were 
the men of whom this association was said to 
be, in the main, composed. Five of the num- 
ber had been presiding elders, and four of 
them members of the General Conference. Out 
of the entire number, only three were emr 
mernbers of the Free Methodist Church. One 
we believe, afterwards joined the Presbyte- 
rians, another, the United Brethren. The rest, 
so far as we know, are either in the M. E. 
Church, or remained in it until they died. 
Some of them, in process of time, became the 
most bitter enemies of the Free Methodist 
Church. Yet we have never heard that any 
of them ever made any statement, inconsistent 
with what they here say. 

That these men were in circumstances to 
know the truth of what they affirm, no one 
can question. Does Bishop Simpson, does any 
one believe that these seventeen men, and min- 
isters of the Gospel, deliberately published 
what they knew to he false ? Did the Bishop . 
appoint, from year to year, to take charge of 
churches, and guide souls to Heaven, men 
who, as he believed, loved and made and pub- 
lished a lie, and stuck to it? Would the 
Bishop have the public understand that delib- 
erate, wilful, persistent falsehood does not 
disgualify men from being pastors in the 



NAZARITE ORGANIZATION. 27 

Methodist Episcopal Churcli ? Is it Christian 
charity to lay, without evidence, seventeen 
ministers of the Gospel — some of whom 
died, to all appearance, in holy triumph — under 
the imputation of wilful falsehood, in a matter 
concerning which they could not possibly be 
mistaken ? 

There is a plain, an irreconcilable contradic- 
tion between the statement of the Bishop, and 
the statement of these men. The Bishop says 
of the Free Methodist movement, that it com- 
menced ' ' Within the bounds of the Genesee 
Conference, and originated in an association of 
ministers who thought they had not been 
properly treated by the leading men of the 
Conference. They privately adopted a plat- 
form, and in this organization were known as 
Nazarites." These seventeen men say : "We 
hereby declare that, after careful inquiry, we 
are fully convinced that no such society has 
ever existed in the bounds of this Conference.^'' 

They investigated the subject under circum- 
stances the most favorable possible for a 
thorough investigation. They were themselves 
not only suspected, but openly accused of 
being members of such an association. If 
there were any such members, apart from 
themselves, these men, their friends, would 
have found it out. They declare that they 



28 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

made " careful inquiry." And the result left 
no doubt upon their minds. They" say they , 
are fully convinced. Their denial is not in 
the cautious, evasive language of those who 
seek to conceal the truth under a specious 
subterfuge. It is open, frank, and compre- 
hensive. They do not deny merely that there 
is a Nazarite organization, — leaving the suspi- 
cion on the mind that there was one, but it 
had been dissolved — but they are ' '^ fully con- 
vinced that no such society has ever existed in 
the bounds of this Conference." They not 
only give the result of their inquiry as to oth- 
ers, but with reference to themselves they 
say: "This charge of forming an association 
or encouraging fanaticism, if applied to us,wq 
unhesitatingly pronounce to be unjust, iniqui- 
tous, slanderous, and false." Is it possible 
to form a denial more specific, and more com- 
prehensive ? Either their statement is false, 
or the statement of the Bishop is false. There 
is no possible way to reconcile them. 

The Bishop does not profess to speak from 
personal knowledge. Relying upon informa- 
tion, he might easily be deceived. These 
seventeen ministers do profess .to speak from 
personal knowledge. They could not possibly 
be deceived. If their statement is untrue, it 
is knowingly, and from set purpose, untrue. 



NAZARITB ORQAMIZATION. 29 

In addition to signing the foregoing denial, 
tlie Rev. Asa Abell, in an article published in 
the Northern Independent, March 10th, 1859, 

says: 

" It does seem to me that I have been bo circum- 
stanced, that had there really been any such Union or 
Society, it could not have failed to come to my 
knowledge ; and I solemnly declare that I neither 
know now, nor have ever known of any society called 
by the name in question, neither in form nor in fact : 
nor of any association like to the oiie whose existence 
is so boldly and positively asserted ; nor of any such 
league or combination whatever, by any name what- 
ever. 

All this I intend to assert, without any such men- 
tal reservation as would leave what I say to be true, 
and yet in some hidden and mysterious sense true, 
that there is, or has been such an organization or soci- 
ety. No man has yet proved, and I am sure no one 
ever can prove, the existence of such a league or 
society, for the reason that no one can prove a non- 
entity to be an entity. I never knew or heard of any 
meeting for the purpose of forming such a society, or 
league, or union, nor of any meeting of any such 
society ; nor of any meeting of reputed officers of 
any such society." 

In a matter of this kind the personal char- 
acter of the witnesses is to be considered. With 
that of the Bishop we have nothing to do. 
We may concede, in this respect, all that his 
warmest friends may claim for him. For he 



30 WSr ANOTHER SECT. 

does not assert that lie ever attended a meeting 
of the "association,'' or that he is a personal 
witness in the matter. He gained his knowl- 
edge from others. All experience has shown 
that it is not difficult to impose on one of a 
generous and confiding nature. Free from 
guile himself, he is slow to suspect that those 
to whom he has given his confidence, and who 
stand in the relation to him of personal friends 
and official advisers, can practice deception 
upon him. So that in showing the falsity of 
the statements of the Bishop, we make 
no reflection upon him. But the char- 
acter of these seventeen men is an important 
element in this investigation. They are volun- 
tary witnesses, who come forward, in order to 
remove an unjust aspersion, and who speak in 
relation to a matter which they were generally 
supposed to understand ; and which they 
claimed to understand. Are they men to be 
believed ? Is their general character such as 
to render them credible witnesses ? We know 
of biit one of the entire number whose charac- 
ter for veracity was ever called in question. 
We will leave him out. As to the rest, they 
are men whose testimony would be given full 
force in any court of justice, in any concern, 
however important. Some of them were men 
who spent long and useful lives in the ministry. 



NAZARITE OR&ANIZATION. 31 

Asa Abell was one of the pioneers of Meth- 
odism in Western New York. He joined the 
Grenesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in 1821. During his long and remark- 
ably successful ministry, he was presiding 
elder for eighteen ye^rs. He was a member of 
four successive General Conferences of the 
Church. When the Free Methodist Church 
was organized, he showed his devotion to the 
principles he had always advocated, by volun- 
tarily severing his connection Avith the Church 
to which he had given the best energies of his 
life ; and uniting with a few proscribed and 
persecuted men, when, as yet, it was doubtful ' 
whether they would be able to maintain their 
existence, as a denomination. During his long 
life, even the breath of calumny never dared 
whisper anything against his fair name. 

John P. Kent was in the ministry for a 
longer period, and always bore a reputation 
above, reproach. He never left the M. E. 
Church, but is an honored, superannuated min- 
ister. 

The records of the Genesee Conference of 
the M. E. Church say of Rev. Samuel C. 
Church, D. D.: "His conscientiousness would 
not allow him to be a neutral. His good sense 
and generosity kept, him from mere partisan- 
ship." 



32 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

Charles D. Burlingliain was an able, upright, 
genial-hearted man, loyal to the M. E. Church, 
in which he died an acceptable, respected 
minister. The minutes of the Western New 
York Conference of the M. E. Church for 
1875, say: " Brother Burlingham was a man 
of siTperior talents, a man of culture and 
sound piety, an able writer and preacher, an 
excellent pastor, greatly respected and loved 
by all who knew him. His departure was 
unexpected and sudden, yet he was fully pre- 
pared ; and died as he had lived, a true Chris- 
tian, an honored and faithful minister of 
Christ." 

Did Bishop Simpsoij, in his large experi- 
ence with men, ever know one more conscien- 
tious and God-fearing than Amos Hard ? Who, 
ever questioned his honesty of purpose? Is 
it possible for a man to give a better proof of 
genuine piety than this man did, down to the 
sudden end of his useful, self-denying life? 
Of him the minutes of the Genesee Conference 
of the M. E. Church for 1878, say : "Brother 
Amos Hard, as a Christian was thorough and 
earnest. He tolerated nothing superficial in 
himself, or others. In the words of his life- 
long friend. Rev. Dr. Reddy, ' He abhorred all 
shams.' His study and prayer to find out 
what the Bible meant by 'holiness,' his hun- 



NAZARITE ORGANIZATION. 33 

ger for its experience, Ms wrestlings and 
fastings, and rigorous self -testings, and the 
unutterable sweetness of divine love, with, 
which his whole soul was filled, as related by 
himself, constitute one of the most vivid pic- 
tures of a Christian mightily in earnest. 
'Measured by the standard of success in 
winning souls to Christ, few have gone from 
among us to a richer reward, or leaving behind 
a more glorious record." 

In making up a history of events in which 
such men bore a prominent part, is their tes- 
timony respecting these events to be set aside, 
without even assigning any cause l Is it to be 
assumed, without evidence, that they placed 
themselves on record as falsifiers of facts with 
which they were well acquainted 1 And is 
such assumption to paSs* into history unchal- 
lenged ? Is partisan prejudice, or denomina- 
tional pride to supercede the necessity of 
candidly weighing evidence, and honestly 
endeavoring to ascertain and state the truth 1 
If no notice is to be taken of the testimony of 
such men as these, what is -the use of human 
testimony ? History may as well be written 
wholly from the imagination. 

If these men are to be believed, then is 
Bishop Simpson's statement that the Free 
Methodist Church had its origin in an " asso- 



34 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

elation of ministers" who "privately adopted 
a platform, and in this organization were 
known as Nazarites," ntterly false. 

But what is to be done with the "Docu- 
ments of the Nazarite Union ?" Do they 
not assume that there was such an organiza- 
tion ? We reply : Does not every work of 
fiction speak of the events which it relates as 
though they in reality took place ? But who, 
on that accounit, quotes them as history ? The 
only proot ever adduced, to our knowledge, 
(and we presume we have read all that has 
been written on the subject,) that such an or- 
ganization ever existed, is drawn from the 
writings of one man, his letters and the pam- 
phlet entitled, "Documents of the Nazarite 
Union of the Genesee Conference of the M. E. 
Church, ' ' and on the vote of the Genesee Con- 
ference, based on these documents. 

The body ol this pamphlet was read by the 
Rev. Joseph McCreery, to the Conference at 
its annual session at Olean in 1855. But he 
stated at the same time, that he was "the 
Nazarite Union," that he alone ^as responsible 
for the whole affair. Others, supposed to 
belong to it, corroborated his statement, that 
the whole matter was a fancy of his own crea- 
tion. Joseph McCreery more than intimates 
this in the preface of his pamphlet. He says : 



NAZARITM ORGANIZATION. 35 

" A certain pamphlet published in New York has 
represented the Nazarites as a secret society devoted 
to the propagation of doctrinal tenets. It is enough 
to say that its author has been imposed upon by his 
zealous correspondent, both as to the fact and pur- 
pose of the Nazarites. It is only as yet a mere 
proposal to return to the ' old paths.' " 

JSTdtice that the author of this pamphlet 
states : " That it is only as yet a mere proposal 
to retTirn to the old paths." But a proposal 
is not proof that the thing proposed is an ac- 
complished fact. Other proof is needed to 
show that the proposal was carried out. That 
proof, in this case, does not exist. 

Before the Genesee conference at its session 
at Perry, in 1858, Joseph McCreery testified : 

" I wrote everything relating to the Nazarite Band. 
I wrote the documents. I did design h\ association, 
and prepared the documents in anticipation of such, 
but when we got to Conference we had enough to do 
of other business. We did not organize, and the 
question of organization has been an open question 
ever since. I never administered the vow to any 
one and I never took it myself — not formally. The 
association was never practically formed; I stated 
nearly so on the floor of the Olean Conference. I 
stated that the whole thing was provisional, and pro- 
spective and I alone was responsible for the whole 
concern. The preface to the pamphlet is a mythical 
concern altogether.'' 

Is not this plain ? 



36 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

In a letter to Rev. H. Hornsby, Rev. J. 
McCreery explains still more fully : 

"Pa.kma Cbntbe, Nov. 11, 1855. 
Rev. H. Hobnsby: 

The general argument is this : A number of 
preachers informally agreed among themselves to re- 
turn as far as practicable to the discipline and customs 
of the church, and because of the comparative 
inability of one here and there doing this, they sug- 
gested the propriety of extending a general invitation 
to those deemed inclined in the same direction to 
join in the movement. This is the sum and substance 
of the whole concern. The only wonder in the case 
is that this should be considered a crime of such 
■ magnitude as to alarm the whole Conference and 
keep it in a stir for several days. For all the circum- 
stantial trappings — the mystic numbers, names, and 
parables I am responsible. I gave them for the pur- 
pose they have answered so eloquently well. It gave 
an air of mystery to the matter which could not fail 
to attract the most intense attention in certain quar- 
ters. It was pursued only far enough to accomplish 
that purpose, and then relinquished. It was only 
a unique incident of the concern. The Lord helped 
at every turn, and permitted the Buffalo Regency to 
humbug itself most beautifully. 

No one had signed the obligation. No one had 
adhered to the "practical propositions." The Regency 
did not even suspect the existence of the " Lamen- 
tations " or " Recommendations." They thought they 
were fighting a mere political electioneering plot, 
got up by plotters like themselves. Misleading 
themselves by the cabalistic circulars, like " Don 



NAZARITE OR&ANIZATION. 37 

Quixotte of yore they attacked a -windmill " — and 
it is thouglit with about the same sort of result. 
The whole matter was as yet only a principle pro- 
posed. It had no formal embodiment. It was a 
society sans constitution, sans laws, sans members, 
sans everything but officers and they ignorant of 
their official standing. In a strict legal sense it was a 
"fiction."''' At this impalpable fiction the Buffalo 
Regency lit off the whole park of their artillery load- 
ed to the muzzle. They fired at nothing and hit 
it, while the rebound of their guns kicked the whole 
battalion " hors du combat." The report was fright- 
ening, deafening, but nobody was killed, for the very 
good reason that there was nobody there to be killed. 
The terrible " Nazarite Band " was "non est iniientus," 
and the passage of the famous compromise resolu- 
tion leaves it non est inventus still. Hence my second 
of the same. 

The hue and cry of " censoriousness " is but the 
flapping of empty sails with the wind taken out of 
them. No one either makes or hears it seriously. It 
is " gammon " by common consent. All the 
artillery in the world, and the Buffalo Regency to 
boot, can not shoot a ghost, and at the same time a 
ghost is more terrible out of the body than in. My 
judgment is that we should keep it in its present 
ghostly condition, without form, and void of organic 
properties, urging every where its principles and 
threatening its embodiment only in case the Buffalo 
Regency refuses to become defunct. Already, like 
Banquo's ghost, it haunts them in all their ways. 
They have already scared themselves into madness 
by gazing upon it. 



38 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

The Buffalo Regency brought the war upon us. 
They made the strife. They cried, and roared, and 
bellowed. They disturbed the peace. They read 
intercepted private letters to cause strife. They read 
scandalous bills of information. They railed and 
ridiculed Bishop and Presiding Elder. They passed 
resolutions of insuborditiation, of refusal to take 
appointments except such as they had parceled out to 
themselves in advance of Conference. They called 
for pacificatioh committees, to be frightened by sham 
threats of location into their service, to recommend 
to the Bishop a compliance to their demands. This 
they did causing all the strife there was. They were 
the doers of everything done ; we were only the 
" did." And as an evidence of our quiet and Chris- 
tion spirit in the midst of all this commotion we sat 
serene in peaceful silence, " like Patience sitting on 
a monument, smiling at grief." We did not even 
laugh at their farcical attempts to befool the Confer- 
ence and the Bishop. All we did was to sit still and 
let them fume and fret it out. 

Our special argument is this : will a close and posi- 
tive adherence to -Qie, forms and customs of Method- 
ism engender a departure from its doctrines? Is it 
likely to encourage any other " ism " than Method- 
ism ? On the contrary is there not a special reason, 
founded on the prevalence, in these days, of all these 
vagrant " isms " for a more explicit and firm adhesion 
to Methodism ? 

So that instead of favoring fanaticism, it is our 
only sure defense against it, — a defense eminently 
demanded by the times. An emphatic and decided 
Methodist is of all men the least likely to fall into 



NAZARITE OReANIZATIQN. 39 

any of the numerous delusions around us. It is only 
when men forsake the fountain of living waters that 
they hew out to themselves the broken cisterns of 
Odd-fellowism, spiritualism, and the like. 

We shall • go right on in the path of " Old Line 
Methodism," and whoever or whatever meets us in 
an opposite direction must either give the road, or run 
against us as heretofore. We shall neither seek nor 
shun any strife. We shall neither attack any foe, nor 
flee from him. Wc shall simply, in the name of the 
Lord our God, run through whatever troop, and leap 
over whatever wall crosses " the path our fathers 
trod. Amen. J. McCbebet." 

At the Perry Conference the question of the 
existence of a "Nazarite organization" was 
judicially investigated. The utmost pains 
were taken to prove its existence. But all the 
proof that was brought was the " Documents" 
in question. But if these "Documents" are 
admissible as evidence, then the declaration 
of their author concerning; them is equally 
admissible, and is entitled to equal weight. 
But this declaration, in his own language is, 
that "The whole concern is a fiction — prepared 
and ready to become a fact, when we should 
see fit to make it such." That time never 
came. 

But it is said that the Olean Conference 
voted that there was such a society. Their 
vote relating to this matter is, published in the 
minutes as follows : 



40 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

" We regret that in view of such deficiencies as 
may exist, and with the ostensible purpose of return- 
ing to first principles, any of our members should 
have associated together, as we find they have done, 
under the name of the " Nazarite Band," or other 
similar appellations, with some forms of secrecy, and 
with the claim to be peculiar in this respect; and 
we pass our disapprobation upon such associations, 
and hereby express our full expectation that it will 
be abandoned by all members of^this Conference." 

We must confess our inability to understand 
this language. It looks absurd to charge that 
the "Nazarites" " claimed to be peculiar" in 
respect to having "some forms of secrecy." 
That men who had for years been opposing 
secret societies, should be charged with mak- 
ing such a "claim," seems extremely marvel- 
lous. They knew that there were many socie- 
ties which had " forms of secresy." 

It is by no means certain, supposing this to 
be a true copy of the record, that the record 
is correct. We have known instances where 
secretaries quite as competent as the one who 
made that record, have, vnthout intending it, 
in copying documents upon the journal, made 
such mistakes as to seriously affect the mean- 
ing. 

But supposing the copy and the record to be 
correct, suppose the Conference voted as it is 
here said they did, their vote that a fact existed 



NAZARITE OR&ANIZATION. 41 

does not prove that it actually existed. Shall 
we concede infallibility to the Genesee Confer- 
ence, blinded by partisan fnry, when we deny 
it to the Pope and his General Conncil, acting 
in a dispassionate manner ? The vote does not 
even prove that the Conference Relieved that 
what they voted was true. It simply proves 
that they had power to pass such a vote, and 
did pass it. This same Genesee Conference at 
its session at LeRoy in 1857, voted as a fact 
what every man voting knew was not a fact. 
They did so on my trial. With my printed 
article before them, they voted that I said in 
that article, wJiat they Jcnew I did not say. I 
called their attention to it, and made it so, plain 
that the dullest could not fail to see it. 

That a vote of a Conference that a fact exists 
is no proof of its existence, is shown by the 
records of a far more respectable body of the 
M. E. Church than the Genesee Conference. 

The Journal of the General Conference held 
at Philadelphia, May, 1864, has the f oUovdng 
record: 

" The long contest on the subject of slavery seems 
drawing to' a close, and no doubtful tokens indicate 
the will of God, and point unerringly to the destruc- 
tion of a system so inhuman. 

We rejoice that we have, from the beginning been 
foremost among American Churches in the contest 
against slavery." 



43 WHY ANOTHER SBCT. 

The men who voted this self -congratulation 
were elected from the various Conferences to 
represent the piety and the wisdom of the 
Church. They were men above the average of 
Methodist preachers. 

These men must have known that there were 
upon the Journal of the General Conference, 
having the force of law, resolutions passed 
only twenty-eight years before, which plainly 
contradict the above claim to "have from the 
beginning been foremost among American 
Churches in the contest against slavery." 

We doubt whether any respectable body 
ever gave a greater insult to a reading people. 

We copy from the Journal of the General 
Conference of the M. E. Church for 1836 : 

"Resolved by the delegates of the Annual Con- 
ferences in General Conference assembled: 

1. That they disapprove, in the most unqualified 
sense, the conduct of two members of the General 
Conference who are reported to have lectured in this 
city recently upon, and in favor of modern- Aboli- 
tionism. 

Resolved, 2. That they are decidedly opposed to 
modern Abolitionism, and wholly disclaim any light, 
wish, or intention to interfere in the civil and political 
relation between master and slave as it exists in the 
slave-holding Statps of this Union. 

Resolved, That the committee appointed to draft 
a pastoral letter to our preachers be, and they are 
hereby instructed to take notice of the subject of 



NAZARITE ORGANIZATION. 43 

modern Abolition that has so seriously agitated the 
different j)arts of our country, and that they let our 
preachers, members, and friends know that the Gen- 
eral Conference are opposed to the agitation of that 
subject, and will use all prudent means to put it 
down." 

Can you, after reading the action of these 
two General Conferences of the M. E. Church, 
"believe that the vote of a Methodist Episcopal 
Conference proves anything more than that 
they passed it ? 

Are you not then convinced that the asser- 
tion of Bishop Simpson, that the Free Meth- 
odist movement "originated in an association 
of ministers, who privately adopted a plat- 
form, and in this organization were known as 
IN'azarites,'' is utterly false ? Can you possibly 
come to any other conclusion ? Ought not the 
Bishop to have given these facts some candid 
attention, before he admitted into his book, a 
statement so f oundationless and false ? 

His fundamental assertion being proved 
false, it follows that all those dependent upon 
it are equally false. 

If there was no organization, then it could 
have had no name, no platform, and no publi- 
cations. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE FACTS IN THE CASE. 

Methodism in this country, was at that time 
in what Dr. Stevens, then editor of the Chris- 
tian Advocate and Journal, called "its tran- 
sition state." It still retained much of the 
vital religion, fervor, simplicity and plainness, 
which at the first, constituted its only apology 
for an existence as a distinct denomination. 
Grenerally, in going into their houses of wor- 
ship, in time of service, one could tell at a 
glance that it was a Methodist congregation. 

But a change had already commenced. It 
was accelerated when the census of the United 
States disclosed the fact that the M. E. Church 
was the largest, Protestant denomination in 
this country, and had the greatest amount of 
church property. This gratifying intelligence 
was often dwelt upon in the church periodicals, 
and in addresses at Conferences, and at other 
large gatherings. The effect was soon visible. 
The Discipline still read, in answer to the ques- 
tion : 

" Is any thing advisable in regard to building 
churches ?" 

" Let all our churches be built plain and decent, 



THE FACTS IN THE CASE. 45 

and with free seats ; but not more expensive than is 
absolutely unavoidable; otherwise the necessity of 
raising money will make rich men necessary to -us. 
But if so, we must be dependent on them, yea, and 
governed by them. And then, farewell to Methodist 
discipline if not doctrine too." 

The directions concerning dress were positive. 

"Question: Should we insist on the rules concern- 
ing dress ? 

Answer. By all means. This is no time to give 
encouragement to superfluity of apparel. Therefore, 
receive none into the Church till they have left ofE 
supsrfluous ornaments." "In visiting the classes be 
very mild, but very strict." "Allow of no exempt 
case: better one suffer than many." 

So reads the Discipline of 1846. But con- 
formity to the world increased rapidly. in these 
respects. Still there were many, both among 
the ministers and the members, who did not 
take readily to the new order of things that 
was being introduced. The Bible stood in 
their way. They had been taught that it 
meant what it said ; and if it did, and their 
rules were, as they believed, in accordance with 
it, they thought their rules should be enforced, 
and not repealed. They had not learned to 
explain away the plain precepts of the Word 
of God. These, too, held to the doctrine of 
holiness as taught by Wesley — that entire 
sanctification was to be sought t^ faith, subse- 



46 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

quently to pardon. Others opposed making 
lioliness a distinct issue, and were content with 
preaching it only in a general way^ and carried 
the idea that it was to be obtained gradually. 
One old preacher said he had been seeking 
holiness twenty years, and when questioned 
closely, admitted he was no nearer it, as he 
could see, than when he began. 

At this period slavery was the all-absorbing 
question in the M. E. Church, as in the nation. 
The M. E. Church had been divided on the 
slavery issue, but it was on the question of the 
right of ministers to hold slaves. The right of 
members to hold slaves was granted. There 
was then, on the slavery question as there is 
now in some Conferences on the tobacco ques- 
tion, one standard of morality for the preach- 
ers and another for the laymen. Up to the 
day that slavery was abolished by the sword, 
there were thousands of slave-holders in good 
standing in the M. E. Church. The M. E. 
Discipline tolerated slavery to the last. 

But many of the preachers and members at 
the North were zealously and honestly en- 
gaged in the effort to banish, by proper enact- 
ments, all slave holding from the M. E. 
Church. In the Genesee Conference, as else- 
where, there were two classes — one decidedly, 
and at all times, openly and avowedly opposed 



REV. WILLIAM HOSMMR. 47 

to slavery ; others claimed to be opposed to 
slavery but objected to the measures proposed 
to get rid of it. Those in the Genesee Confer- 
ence who were asking for "the old paths" 
were abolitionists of the most pronounced 
type. 

The Eev. F. G. Hibbard had, by the pro- 
slavery men of the General Conference been 
elected editor of the Northern Christian Advo- 
cate over the old editor, Rev. William Hosmer, 
who was very emphatically the choice of the 
patronizing Conferences. The anti-slavery men 
of these Conferences would not tamely submit 
to this usurpation of the slave power. So 
they started the Northern Independent, and 
made Hosmer editor. This paper had a wide 
circulation and a powerful influence. In 
intellect and courage, Hosmer was the John 
Knox of his day. His anti-slaveryism wa^ 
not of that sentimental kind which opposed 
slavery at the. South and defended tyranny at 
home. ' With true nobility of soul he hated 
injustice and oppression every where, and con- 
demned them just as strongly when found in 
the North as in the South, in his own church 
as in the world, He not only opened his^ 
columns for those whom the dominant party of 
the Genesee Conference proscribed, but spoke 
out editorially in vigorous condemnation of 



48 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

the oppressive acts of the majority of the 
Conference. 

About this time began the revival of Mason- 
ry in this country. In the excitement which 
followed the adbuction and murder of Morgan, 
the lodges had generally disbanded. But 
Odd Fellowship had paved the way for their 
re-organization. In the Genesee Conference 
several of the leading preachers befcame con- 
nected with one or both of these seciet socie- 
ties. Collisions had taken place between 
these preachers and some of the older and 
more conscientious members of the churches 
which they were appointed to serve. Men of 
God, in whose minds the remembrance of the 
Morgan tragedy was fresh, felt that they 
could not, in conscience, support preachers 
who took upon them oaths which required 
them to commit similar crimes should occasion 
demand it. Such men were often put out of the 
church. But this action brought about dissat- 
isfaction and division. 

In this view of the case we are confirmed by 
the Rev. C. D. Burlingham, who, in a pamphlet 
which he wrote and published in 1860 entitled 
"An Outline History of the Genesee Confer- 
ence Difficulties," said : 

" Some sixteen or eighteen years since a disturbing, 
element was introduced into the Genesee Conference. 



A BISTURBINQ ELEMENT. 49 

Our chui-oh, as well as the community in general, 
had for a number of years been much agitated by the 
Masonic question, and the anti-Masonic excitement 
consequent upon the abduction and murder of Wil- 
liam Morgan, of Batavia, in 1826. As the tumultu- 
ous waves were gradually subsiding into a calm, this 
new element of discord began to introduce itself in^ 
our church, professedly as a mutual insurance com- 
pany against temporal want, and a newly discovered 
and remarkably successful Gospel appliance for 
bringing the world, reformed and saved, into the 
church. But our people very naturally looked upon 
it with suspicion, dreading its power as a secret 
agerhcy acting through affiliated societies, and doubt- 
ing its utility as a financial scheme, they feared that 
it would drag the church — debased and corrupted — 
into the world. 

Under the influence of its friends in the Confer- 
ence — several active and aspiring young men^ Odd 
Fellowship became a fixture in the Conference ; not 
however as a formal organization among the "Fel- 
low " preachers, probably not, but «*>*««% such; as 
the " Fellows " were members of the " Order " they 
were ,a unit in policy, and prepared to act as an asso- 
ciated body in Conference and elsewhere." 

The preachers who belonged to these secret 
societies, and the time-serving and the timid 
naturally came together. 

There were many in the Conference who re- 
sisted strongly the encroachments which the 
world was thus making upon the church, and 
sought ''to check the growing tendency to 



50 war ANOTHER SECT. 

worldly conformity. They had joined the 
Methodist Church because they honestly be- 
lieved its doctrines ; and, considering their or- 
dination vows as binding upon them, they 
faithfully endeavored to bring themselves and 
their members, both in experience and life, to 
the Discipline which they had promised to en- 
force. These men, caliii, trustful, and ignorant 
of the tactics of the lodge, received their ap- 
pointment, as from the Lord, not knowing that 
there was a power at work, secretly, to fill the 
chief places of the Conference with those who, 
at least were not opposed to the workings of 
the lodge. 

There is nothing that brings heart to heart 
like a similarity of religious experiences, es- 
pecially when suffering persecution for Christ' s 
sake. 

Thus there was an issue in the Conference 
which gradually became more and more clearly 
defined, on Scriptural holiness, slavery, and 
secret societies. 

Matters were brought to a crisis, and the two 
parties took shape and form at the Buffalo 
Conference held in 1848. This was the session 
at which I joined the Conference on probation. 
At one of its sittings, Eev. Eleazer Thomas 
gave to each preacher in his seat, a copy of a 
pamphlet written by Rev. C. D. Buriingham 



SECRET SOCIETIES. 51 

showing the infidel character of Masonry and 
Odd Fellowship. 

With prophetic foresight the author pointed 
out the evils that would result from preachers 
uniting with these societies. 

" It is believed that the direct tendency of Odd 
Fellowism is the formation of parties in the Confer- 
ence, in the Church, and in Civil Society ; parties 
injurious to the cause of God and dangerous to the 
State. As all the operations and movements of the 
order are arranged in secret conclave, all persons, 
except the initiated, are supposed to be ignorant of 
its nightly transactions. It must be well known, 
that a small party, acting in perfect concert and in 
secret, bound together by strong partisan feeling, 
and under the influence of an obligation imposed up- 
on its members, deemed by them as sacred, perhaps 
as an oath, is able to control, in almost any given 
case, a multitude of unsuspecting men, who are not 
under the influence of such affinities. And may we 
not justly fear, when a score or two of the members 
of our Conference, embracing the Various intellectual 
grades in the Ministry, shall combine under such in- 
fluences as above named, that z, favoritism (if nothing 
more) will be practiced, on account of attachment to 
the Order, which will create envyings and jealousies 
in the Ministry, and very much injure all the inter- 
ests in the church ?" 

The vidldest excitement followed the distri- 
bution' of this pamphlet. The adherents of , 
the lodge insisted that Messrs. Burlingham 
and Thomas had charged them with being in- 



53 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

fidels. Thomas Carlton said, witli great em- 
phasis, that if he was " compelled to leave 
either, he would leave the Church before he 
would the lodge." After a while matters qui- 
eted down and compromise measures were 
adopted. They were to the effect, that neither 
party should do anything calculated to keep 
up the agitation. This was construed by the 
secret society men to mean that they might 
still continue in the lodge, and get all the oth- 
ers to join that they could ; and the others 
must say nothing against it, as that would 
tend to keep up the agitation. Their opposers 
construed it to mean that those who were in the 
lodge must get out as soon and as quickly as 
they could, and no others must join. 

The breach thus begun was never healed. 
The secret society men were busy recruiting 
their forces, both in the ministry and in the 
membership. They used every inducement to 
persuade the young preachers to join, giving 
them to understand that their position in the 
Conference would depend upon the party with 
which they affiliated. As fast as they could, 
they took the Church into the lodge, and the 
lodge into the Church. In a few years the 
power of the lodge was exercised to control 
the affairs of the Church. 

Rev. J. B. Alverson, one of the old, influ- 



THE FACTS /iV THS CASH. 53 

ential preachers, endeavored to dissuade 
Thomas Carlton from running for Book Agent, 
on the ground that he could not be elected ; 
Carlton replied: "I can command sufficient 
secret society influence in the General Confer- 
ence to secure my election." 

The event showed that he had not misjudged. 
He was elected — re-elected, and became a 
wealthy man. 

Those opposed to this union of the Church 
and the world, weiit out to promote, as best 
they could, the life and power of religion. 
They endeavored to enforce the Discipline, — 
and they preached plainly and clearly the doc- 
trine of holiness. 

Prominent among these were Asa Abell, 
Eleazer Thomas, and William C. Kendall. Asa 
Abell made a distinct profession of the blessing 
of entire sanctification at the Byron Camp- 
Meeting, in 1851. He preached it on his dis- 
trict, and secured at different times, the services 
of Fay H. Purdy,' then in his early prime, a 
lawyer, who had received a mighty baptism, 
of the Spirit, and whose efforts for the awa- 
kening of formal churches met with remarkable 
success. Deep and powerful revivals broke 
out in Parma, Kendall, and other places, and 
the district generally was in a prosperous, 
spiritual condition. 



54 WHY ANOTHER SHOT. 

Rev. Eleazer Thomas kept the Cattaraugus 
district, to which he was appointed, in a flame 
of revival. He said that, like Asbury, he felt 
divinely commissioned to preach holiness in 
every sermon. At a camp-meeting which he 
held in Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., at which Dr. 
and Mrs. Palmer were present, we received the 
blessing of holiness : and from that time our 
troubles in the Conference commenced. Broth- 
er Thomas introduced at each of his Quarterly 
Conferences and secured the passage of reso- 
lutions agaiast choir singing and instrumeiital 
music in worship. His camp-meetings were 
season's of great power. The lines were as 
closely drawn, and the truth as plainly 
preached as now among the Free Methodists. 

Rev. William C. Kendall had extensive and 
powerful revivals on his charges ; and, under 
his labors, many came out in the enjoyment 
and the profession of the blessing of holiness. 
Other preachers — especially on the districts 
named, entered heartily into the work of soul- 
saving, and there was a steady increase, both 
in the number of members and their spiritual- 
ity, in many of the charges. 

Meanwhile, the secret society men and their 
adherents were busy, seeking to build up the 
church in external splendor. They read fine 
sermons — sometimes without being particular 



BJSr. ELEAZEB THOMAS. 55 

as to the source where they were obtained. 

' ' Was not that an eloquent sermon which 
our preacher delivered yesterday?" said one 
of the stewards to John A, Latta, one Monday 
morning. 

" Perhaps you enjoyed it so much you would 
like to hear it again," replied Mr. Latta. He 
then took down a book and read him the iden- 
tical sermon, word for word. 

Thus matters went on without any open 
ooUision for several years. But it was clearly 
apparent that the salvation party was making 
headway the faster. They had also this ad- 
vantage : while, generally, appointments which 
men of the secret society party had filled for 
several years welcomed a change, those appoint- 
ments which the salvation preachers had filled, 
would, with the utmost reluctance, receive one 
of the other party. Thus the secret society 
men felt that important appointments in the 
Conference were being gradually closed against 
them. Something must be done or they would 
be left in a hopeless, powerless minority. 

Under a specious pretext. Rev. Eleazer 
Thomas, the acknowledged leader of the sal- 
vation party, was sent to California, and, as is 
well known, was afterwards killed by the Mo- 
docs. The venerable Dr. Samuel Luckey was 
appointed to the Genesee district. Though 



56 WSY ANOTHER SECT. 

great efforts had been made to stigmatize the 
work as fanatical, this veteran preacher recog- 
nized it at once as the work of God ; and with 
all his great ability helped it on. The Bergen 
Camp Meetings had become famous for their re- 
markable manifestations of saving power. The 
religions interest did not decline under his ad- 
ministration. He encouraged what was called 
the fanaticism of the district, and was not re- 
appointed Presiding Elder. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. Loren Stiles. Mr. Stiles was a 
young man, a graduate of the Methodist Theo- 
logical Seminary at Concord, N. H. He had 
already become celebrated in Western New 
York as a pulpit orator. Amiable in his dis- 
position, pleasing in his manners, and a tho- 
rough gentleman in all his bearing, it was 
taken for granted that he would instinctively 
recoil from what was branded as the ' ' coarse 
fanaticism" prevalent in the district. It was 
supposed that he would win the hearts of the 
people, and gradually turn them, without fric- 
tion, back to the respectable quiet of spiritual 
death. But never were men more grievously 
disappointed. His prejudices were based sole- 
ly upon the reports which he had heard and 
read. Thoroughly sincere, he recognized as 
soon as he came on the district the marks of 
the work of God. He saw that many had a 



BEV. LORMN STILE8. 57 

spiritual power which he, as yet had never re- 
ceived. He sought it at once ; and he who 
was sent to put down the work of holiness, 
helped it on with all the influence he possessed. 
His Quarterly Meetings were thronged, and 
many of the people consecrated themselves 
wholly to God. 

» On the Niagara district a similar disappoint- 
ment was experienced. The Kev. Isaac C. 
Kingsley, the Presiding Elder, was a graduate 
of an Ohio college. He had been brought up 
a Presbyterian, and still retained many of his 
Presbyterian ways. He sometimes read his 
sermons, and was rather stiff in his manners, 
and precise in his way of doing things. He 
was intellectually a strong man, examined 
things for himself, and when he came to a 
conclusion had the honesty and the courage 
to- avow it, though he might differ from others. 
After a careful survey of the work he decided 
that what was branded as "fanaticism," was 
only the vital godliness which he had expected 
to find when he joined the Methodist church. 
So, instead of opposing it he gave it his cordial 
support. 

The Rev. Charles D. Burlingham was push- 
ing on the work of God on the Olean District 
with a hearty zeal and abundant success. 
T'iie interest on the subject of holiness was 



58 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

kept up, and the Quarterly meetings were 
lively and interesting. 

The secret society men, stirred up by this 
state of things, began to publish unfavorable 
criticisms upon those prominent in the holiness 
movement, and to throw out insinuations 
against them. Their accredited organ was the 
Buffalo Advocate. * 

One of the first direct attacks made by the 
Buffalo Advocate was in an editorial reflecting 
upon Ex-Bishop Hamline. It was as follows : 

"An article is going the rounds of the papers 
which states that Bishop Hamline has donated $25,000 
to a "Western College. We don't believe a word of 
it. He who was oirce Bishop, is, if we are correctly 
informed, as snug and keen in the management of 
his finances as any other property-famed man. He 
may have given something nevertheless." — The Ad- 
vocate, April 12th, 1855. 

After several efforts from the friends of the 
Bishop to have the above corrected, the editor 
finally admitted he stood corrected, that the 
Bishop had given the above sum, and added 
the sneer : 

" Noble man! he shall have all our praise, if it will 
do him any good." 

Other articles reflecting still more severely 
upon the Bishop were published from time to 
time in The Advocate. Why all this ? 



BISHOP HAMLINE. 59 

Bishop HamlinQ was eminent for the advo- 
cacy of the doctrine of holiness. 

The first public declaration that there was a 
" E'azarite Association" was made in an edi- 
torial in the Buffalo Advocate, of July 19th, 
1855, in the following language : 

" We have learned from a reliable source, and have 
had sufficient evidence placed in our hands to prove 
that there exists, among the ministers of a certain 
Protestant sect of Western New York, a secret, re- 
ligious organization, where one would be least sus- 
pected. The purpose of this Jesuitical order we 
will not at this time attempt to explain ; but the con- 
sequences of it, unless its progress shall be arrested, 
and its existence blotted out, it takes no prophet's 
eye to foresee, — incurable, ministerial factions and 
ruined churches must otherwise be the inevitable 
result. This order has been designated by various 
appellations; but the authorized cognomen is, 'The 
Nazaeitb Band.' It is to be hoped that those who 
have assumed this bolemn and suggestive title have 
weighed well what they are doing, and what the sol- 
emn imposition of the name upon themselves implies. 
To us it appears like impious mockery, and if " any 
good can come out of this Nazareth," then can a 
clean thing thing come forth from an unclean. - We 
know well the men who are the originators of this 
singular movement, and have been watching, their 
down-sittings and up-risings for a long time. Our 
editorial, secret drawer contains the secret of many 
curious facts relating to the ministerial career of 
some of these eminent and most notable characters. 



60 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

We learn that the society is constituted by three 
degrees or "divisions." Into the thii-d or highest, 
are admitted only the leading spirits of the order, 
or those whom it is supposed will heartily favor the 
purpose of the ordei-. The first degree, it would 
appear, is so indefinitely constituted, that one may 
get into it, and not be himself aware of the fact. It is 
only required of the candidate that he express hia 
approbation of certain men and measures, and for- 
sooth he straightway becomes a ISTazarite, and that 
before he knows it. He is, after this, carefully ap- 
proached, and his opinions drawn out with respect to 
certain other measures, and if he can be " trusted," 
is advanced! There are many considerations which 
give this new organization a novel, not to say ludi- 
crous aspect. One is, that its originatoi's have here- 
tofore made themselves somewhat notorious, by their 
blazing hostility to secret societies. They have pub- 
lished and spoken great and hard things. They have 
for years been bent on giving both lay and clerical 
Odd Fellows and Masons "particular jesse." Indeed, 
it is a main purpose of this Ifazarite Band to oppose 
the influence which, it is alleged, secular, secret soci- 
eties are seeking to exert in religious affairs. Another 
beautiful feature of this new order is the peculiarly 
lovely, personal and religious characteristics of those 
by whom it was conceived and brought forth. Their 
character is a strange compound of sanctity and 
slander, of pompous humility and humble pride, of 
peccability and perfection. Their preaching of the 
Gospel of peace is always attended or followed by 
jealousies, heart-burnings, and fanatical dissensions. 
Peevish and fretful tyrants at home, they have a 



THB FACTS IN THE CASE. 61 

Tery ardefit charity for the " dear sisters " abroad, 
some of whom "they lead about." Without any 
remarkable "sanctity of manners undefiled," their 
professions reach to heaven, and clothe them with 
the most spotless garment of- assumed purity. As a 
specimen of this class, we would refer the reader to 
a certain individual living in Orleans County, called, 
according to the ISTazarite nomenclature, Bani, who is, 
we are informed, the high priest of this new pro- 
fession." 

Such, was the accusation. But the " suffi- 
cient evidence " was never given. It appears 
from the next week' s issue of The Advocate, 
that a prompt denial was made, by tlie only per- 
son competent to make either a denial, or a con- 
firmation of the charge. He had, of his own 
accord, written the letters to which we have re- 
ferred, and he manfully came forward and 
took the responsibility for what he alone had 
written. 

How was his denial treated ? Another ex- 
tract from the same paper will show. 

" We learn that ' Bani ' denies that the Na^abites 
are an organized band, as we asserted them to be in 
our last week's issue. We would remind this very 
conscientious and notable individual of the impor- 
tance of keeping truth on his side, as far as circum- 
stances will permit; and not by gratuitous and 
voluntary denials of facts, place himself in a very 
embarrassing position, and one in which honest men 
seldom find themselves. Bani, it is not right, it is 



62 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

decidedly wrong to make statements which you know 
to be false, and you must not do so any more." 

These extracts are favorable specimens of 
the articles which appeared in that paper from 
time to time. Compare them in tone and 
spirit with the one which we wrote entitled 
" New School Methodism," and then remember 
that the editor who wrote the above extracts was 
afterwards admitted to the Conference and 
made Presiding Elder, wMle we were visited, for 
writing that article, with the heaviest anathe- 
mas of the church ! 

This then is all there ever was to the ' ' Naz- 
arite Union." 

Rev. Joseph McCreery wrote several letters 
to different preachers, proposing that they 
work in harmony in their efforts to persuade 
the people to return to the old paths of Meth 
odism. There, in all probability, the matter 
would have rested ; but some of these letters 
were shown to the editor of the Buffalo Advo- 
cate, who made the most of them, and stirred 
up some excitement. Anticipating that the 
subject would be brought up at Conference, the 
Rev. J. McCreery prepared a statement of the 
whole affair, including copies of the letters he 
had written. This he read to the Conference 
at Olean in 1855. This "Document" or 
" Roll," as it was called, was greatly misrepre- 



THE FACTS IN THE CASE. 03 

sented. To correct these misrepresentations it 
was pnblished by Rev. Wm. C. Kendall. 
This is all there was to this affair as far as the 
preachers belonging to the Conference were 
concerned. After the Free Methodist Chtjkch 
was organized, some who opposed its organiza- 
tion, held meetings by themselves, and called 
themselves "ISTazarites." Some of these still 
retained their membership in the M. E. Church, 
and some did not ; but all arrayed themselves 
against the Feee Methodist Chxjeoh. 

They have always been its unrelenting op- 
ponents. They insist that a great mistake was 
made in leaving the M. E. Church, or in not, 
when thrust out, uniting with it again, and 
keeping up the agitation within its pale. 



CHAPTER lY. 

SECEET MEETINGS. 

In any deliberative assembly, a minority 
composed of men of average intelligence, 
bound together by secret oaths, unknown to 
the rest, can generally carry their measures. 
Scattered about, their concerted action appears 
to be spontaneous ; and so they often secure a 
favorable decision before their opponents have 
time to rally. In this way the Jacobin Club 
gained control of the N'ational Assembly, or 
Legislature of France. In this way the secret so- 
ciety men of the Genesee Conference obtained 
the controlling influence. 

At several sessions of the Conference, they 
held meetings so secret that their existence was . 
not even suspected for some years. They act- 
ually did what they falsely charged upon the 
others. We have proved that the ' ' Nazarite 
Union" was a fiction. We shall show that 
those who assumed its existence, held secret 
meetings and adopted measures to crush those 
who could not in conscience fall in with their 
worldly policy. When this was accomplished, 
they assigned as their excuse, that their vic- 
tims had formed " The Nazarite Union, having 



am'. WM. a. KENDALL. r>r> 

some marks of secresy." Was there ever an in- 
consistency more glaring ? 

The knowledge that they had secret meetings 
came into our hands providentially. A Mend 
gave us the original minutes of one of their 
meetings. They read as follows : 

"Lb Rot, Sept. 3, 1857. 
Meeting convened according to adjournment ; 
Brother Parsons in the chair. Prayer, by, Brother 
Fuller. Brethren present pledged themselves by 
rising, to keep to themselves the proceedings of this 
meeting. 

Resolved, That we will not allow the character of 
Rev. B. T. Roberts to pass until he has had a fair 
trial. Passed. Moved, That we will not pass the 
character of Rev. W. C. Kendall, until he has had a 
fair trial. Passed. 

Moved, That Brother Carlton be added to the 
committee on Brother Kendall's case. Passed." 

We shall refer to this remarkable document 
again, but for the present will only say : 

1. That it was read to Conference ; and re- 
peatedly published, and its genuineness was 
never questioned. 

2. That it proves that they not only held 
secret meetings, but had an organization with 
the usual officers, chairman, secretary and 
committees. 

3. That it not only held its meetings in 



66 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

secret, but that it was pledged to keep its 
proceedings secret. 

4. That it was engaged in the most infamous 
business of plotting against the reputation and 
ministerial standing of some of their brethren. 

The clue thus obtained was followed up. 
Several of the men who attended these secret 
meetings, were called upon to testify in my 
trial, concerning them. Some reluctantly gave 
important testimony ; others answered by 
evasions. From these reluctant witnesses it 
was ascertained that they had a secret organ- 
ization as far back as the Medina Conference, 
in 1856 — and how much farther was not ascer- 
tained. 

Rev. Sanford Hunt testified : 

" I was present at meetings at tlie house of John 
Ryan. I think there was a chairman and secretary 
at that meeting; we had about three meetings; there 
were generally twenty or thirty at the meeting." 

At the LeRoy Conference, the number who 
were brought into the conspiracy was in- 
creased. 

Rev. Thomas Carlton testified : 

" I attended three of the meetings at the hpuse of 
John Ryan during the session of the Medina Confer- 
ence. I attended some of the select meetings at 
Le Roy ; not all. I should think there might have 
been sixty at one of the meetings, at another,- about 
forty; they ranged from thirty to sixty." 



A SECRET AHHOCIA TION. 67 

Eev. D. F. Parsons testified : 

" I was chairman of these meetings held at Le Roy. 
There was a person who kept brief minutes of the 
meetings." 

If Bishop Simpson will not believe the sev- 
enteen men who testified that there never had 
been in the Genesee Conference, a"]S'azarite 
organization," will he believe these three men 
who testified that they attended, from time to 
time, secret, organized meetings ? They are 
men to whom he lent a willing ear. If the 
Free Methodist Church originated "in an asso- 
ciation of ministers,'' then this must have 
been the association. For in this association 
originated the proscriptions and persecutions 
that rendered its formation necessary. 

That this association was remarkably secret 
is evidenced by the fact that it had been hold- 
ing naeetings for two years at least, before its 
existence was suspected. It was remarked that 
about thirty men voted solid on all issues touch- 
ing old or new fashioned Methodism, but this 
was supposed to be owing to natural affinities 
.and to the influence of the lodge. Those against 
whom they were plotting, were not wanting in 
•ordinary Sagacity ; they were on the lookout ; 
yet the meetings held at two successive Con- 
ferences were so carefully concealed, that not a 
whisper was heard concerning them. 



08 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

The first action of this association which 
has come to our knowledge was a successful 
effort to secure the removal of Revs. L. Stiles 
and I. C. Kingsley from the office of Presiding 
Elders. They were both popular upon their 
districts and the work of God prospered under 
their care. But they were not in sjrmpathy 
with the secret society men who now aimed to 
gain entire control of the Conference. There- 
fore it was secretly decided that they must be 
removed. About thirty of the preachers signed 
a petition to the Bishop asking for their re- 
moval. The Bishop was told that unless they 
were removed, these thirty men would not 
take work. This was proved by the testimony 
of some of the number. At the Le Roy Con- 
ference, the following testimony on this point 
was given. 

Rev. Wm. Barrett called : 

" I saw at the Medina Conference a petition asking 
for the removal of Brothers Stiles and Kingsley 
from the office of Presiding Elders. I can not state 
the wording of the petition, but understood it to be 
this: that we would refuse to take work if Brothers 
Stiles and Kingsley were continued in the Presiding 
Elders' office." 

Rev. J. M. Fuller called : 

Ques. Did you state at the Medina Conference 
that you would not take work under either Stiles or 
Kingsley ? 



A SBCRET ASSOCIATION. 69 

Ans. " I did." 

Ques. Did you hear any one else say the same ? 
Ans. " I lieard others say what would amount to 
about the same." 

Were there this amount of testimony that a 
" N'azarite organization" ever existed, and that 
it sought to control appointments, it would be 
regarded as a complete vindication of the 
extreme measures of the Conference. But is 
there any Justice, anything partaking of the 
common fairness which we have a right to 
look for between man and man, leaving Chris- 
tig-nity entirely out of the account, for one 
class of men to turn others out of the church, 
under the false pretext that they had done 
what they were themselves habitually doing? 
If so, then it would be right for men who live 
by making counterfeit money to send honest 
men to prison under the false accusation of 
passing counterfeit money. 

Their next step was to keep out of the 
Conference pious young men offering to join 
who would not, as they supposed, place them- 
selves under their guidance and control. Several 
young men of good abilities, education, and of 
deep piety, who professed and preached holi- 
ness, were compelled to go to other Confer- 
ences. In reference to this action the Buffalo 
Advocate said of the Conference. 



7(1 Wirr ANOTHEli SECT. 

"Hot-heads and fanatics, from any quarter, will 
find it hereafter difficult soil on which to produce any 
of their mischief or scandal. Some attempted to' 
gain admittance to the Conference at its last session, 
but were repulsed at the threshhold, and passed 
away, disgusted with the forebodings of order and 
manliness, which a kind Providence permits shall 
govern hereafter. These, with their sympathizers in 
and out of the body, are the agencies employed in 
writing scandal of those who now hold the reins, and 
who mean to live and govern for God and holiness — 
and respectable position." 

But the worst use that was made of this or- 
ganization was to shield the guilty and punish 
the innocent. Charges backed up by the most 
respohsible parties, made against some of its 
members for dishonest transactions amounting 
almost to States Prison offences, were sum- 
marily dismissed ; while men of spotless 
lives, accused of being l^azarites, were turned 
out of the church under pretexts so slight as 
to admit of no defence. 

One of the first victims selected was Wil- 
liam C. Kendall. He was one of the most 
godly, laborious, and successful ministers in 
Western New York, and was the most perse- 
cuted. Charges against him were prepared at 
the last session of the Conference, which he 
attended ; but he was told that they were not 
prosecuted for want of time, but would be 



REV. WM. a. KENDAl.L. 71 

next year. But he died too soon for that* 
He was removed from the impending eviL 
His case reminds ns of the devout Rutherford, 
whom he so much resembled in spirit. Ruth- 
erford was summoned to answer at the next 
Parliament on a charge of high treason. 
The summons found him on his death-bed. 
On hearing of it, he calmly remarked that 
he had got another summons before a su- 
perior judge and Judicatory, and sent the mes- 
sage, " I behoove to answer my first summons; 
and ere your day arrives, I will be where few 
Kings and great folks come." 

William C. Kendall was of an old, highly re- 
spectable, Methodist family in Wyoming Co. , 
'^. Y. He was our class-mate in academy, 
college and Conference, and a brother beloved. 
While in college he experienced the blessing 
of holiness. He kept the flame of perfect love 
alive, by laboring to bring others into the same 
blessed state. He graduated in the summer of 
1848, and soon after joined the Genesee Confer- 
ence on probation. God had given him every 
qualification to labor successfully in his vine- 
yard. He had a fine, manly form of noble 
bearing ; a frank, open countenance on which 
rested a sweet, heavenly smile; a pleasant voice 
of unusual compass and power, perfectly at 
his command; a mind carefully stored with 



72 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

divine truth as well as with classic lore — and 
above all a heart fully sanctified to God. 

A remark made by Bishop Hamline left a 
lasting impression upon his mind. The Bishop 
hearing that some preachers were accused of 
making holiness their hobby, said: "Woe to 
that Methodist preacher, that son of perdition, 
who does not make holiness his hobby." 

Brother Kendall went to his first circuit, 
Cambria, Niagara Co., N. Y., resolved to make 
"holiness his hobby." During his two years 
there, many were converted and many were 
sanctified to Grod. At Royalton, in 1850, he 
had a good work ; and at Pike, the next year, 
one hundred were converted and added to the 
church under his labors. Here, as elsewhere, 
he strongly insisted on both inward and out- 
ward holiness, entire sanctiflcdtion, while he 
endeavored to keep the standard of justifica- 
tion where God' s word has placed it. 

The results were, clear and strong conversions, 
and converts pressing into the enjoyment of 
entire holiness. These were strong to labor, 
and of course were active in the meetings. 
This excited the jealousy of some who had 
been longer in the Church, but Imd failed to 
go forward in their experience. A committee 
was appointed to request the preacher not to 
preach so much on holiness, " lest he should 



REV. WM. C.\ KENDALL. 73 

drive away men of influence needed to the 
Church.^'' Foremost among those who were 
afraid of holiness, lest it should divide the 
church, was a leading member, who had long 
been prominent in the community. It was 
afterwards proved that for ten years, including, 
this period, this man had been forging indorse- 
ments to bank-notes ! These he paid on matu- 
rity ; but at last being sick when a note became 
due, his crime was discovered, and he pun- 
ished. Chiefly through the influence of this 
man. Brother Kendall was removed at the 
close of the year. On the Covington Circuit, 
to which he was sent, multitudes were saved. 

In September, 1854, he was sent to Albion. 
His predecessor warned him against preaching 
here as he had done elsewhere, on the subject 
of dress. But he was very kind, yet very firm, 
and did not ' ' shun to declare the whole coun- 
sel of God." Notwithstanding the most vio- 
lent opposition of several of his official board, 
he had one of the most powerful and extensive 
revivals the place has ever known. Hundreds 
were converted and sanctified, and over a hun- 
dred added to the church. 

The next' year he was sent to Brockport, 
where the opposition became still more intense 
and assumed a more organized form. Many 
were saved. But they were branded as f ana- 



74 WHY ANOTHER , SECT. 

tics, and a pamphlet was written by a former 
travelling preacher, against the work, and 
extensively circulated. 

In a letter written at this time. Brother Ken- 
dall says : "In the afternoon we had our official 
meeting, at the close of which two hours were 
devoted to my case. The council of course 
were divided — we have some brethren who are 
firm on the side of religion. I did, myself, lit- 
tle more than deny untrue assertions. We 
adjourned without final action on my case. 
Next Monday evening is our regular meeting 
again. What will befall me then, I know not." 
He was accustomed to say in his preaching, 
' I stand on the Bible and the Methodist Dis- 
cipline ; when I get outside of them, then lay 
hands on me." 

When' the appointments were read out at 
the Medina Conference, at the close of this 
year, and it was^een that Brothers Stiles and 
Kingsley were removed from being presiding 
elders, and were transferred to another Confer- 
ence ; and it was evident that the party known 
as "The Buffalo Regency," had every thing 
their own way, the hearts of most of those 
who were in favor of old fashioned Methodism 
sank within them in discouragement. But not 
so with William C. Kendall. He saw things as 
the rest saw them. In addition to the generally 



BBV. WM. C. KENDALL. 75 

bad state of affairs, he liad been again removed 

at the end of his first year, and sent to a far 

less important appointment. But ' when, in 

closing the Conference, the Bishop called on 

some one to sing. Brother Kendall arose, and in 

clear, triumphant notes called out : 

"Come on my partners in distress.'" 

At the close of the first verse, spme acted 

as if they vfished to kneel, and so close the 

singing. But he struck in Joyously : 

"Who suffer with, our Master here, 
We shall before his face appear, 
And by his side sit down." 

One to have looked on would have supposed 
from the appearance, that the vanquished were 
victors. By the time the singing was finished 
we were all ready to go to the ends of the 
earth, if need be, to proclaim a free and 'full 
salvation. 

At Chili, to which he was sent, the opposi- 
tion was still more determined. Yet many 
were converted, reclaimed and sanctified. 

Speaking of one point on his charge, where 
some were seeking religion, he says: "Last 
evening I requested that none come to the 
altar Avho were unwilling to pray for them- 
selves. Some who had been as seekers, staid 
away. Far better than that they should be 
bolstered up with false hopes — Lord give us a 



76 WHV ANOTHER SECT. 

thorough Christianity ! Save us from spurious 
revivals." 

At the next session of the Conference two 
bills of charges were presented to him, which 
were, as was alleged, laid over till next year, 
for want of time. 

From the LeRoy Conference he was sent to 
West Falls Circuit. It was considered one of 
the poorest in the Conference. The presiding 
elder told him that "If he pleased the people 
pretty well, they might board him and his 
wife around, from house to house, but they 
would not be able to support him if he kept 
house." The people had been told by their 
presiding elder prior to Conference, that he 
" doubted whether ihere was a man in the 
Conference small enough for them." 

To this circuit Wm. C. Kendall, a man capa- 
ble of filling vsdth credit any Christian pulpit, 
was sent. When he brushed away the last 
tear at Conference, he smiled, and said tri- 
umphantly " I will trust in God to make them 
repent they ever sent me to West Falls to cure 
or punish me." He found things were worse 
than was represented. There was but little of 
even the form of godliness. But he went to 
work, vsdth resolute courage and a strong faith, 
to promote a revival of religion. His labors 
were helped beyond all expectation. One of 



REV. WM. C. KENDALL. 77 

the first who contributed to his support was 
an old friend Quaker, who, at the close of one 
of his searching sermons, stepped up and 
placed a bank-bill in his hand saying, ' ' Wil- 
liam, I perceive that God is with thee." 

A revival broke out that swept with almost 
resistless power all through that region. With 
untiring zeal, he went from house to house and 
prayed with the people. Whole families were 
converted. Stout hearted infidels fell pros- 
trate under the power of God, and were glad 
to have those pray for them whom once they 
had hated. It was said that for eight miles 
■along the main road there was not a house but 
that some of its inmates had been converted in 
this revival. In the village when he entered 
it there were but three houses that had family 
prayer — when he left it there were but three in 
which they did not have family prayer. 

But at last, his incessant labors, and the 
unceasing persecution to which he was sub- 
jected, and which originated with his brethren 
in the ministry, told upon his nervous system, 
and his strong constitution gave way. 

On Saturday, the 16th of January, 1858, he 
was threatened with symptoms -of the typhoid 
fever. Yet, the following day, as there was 
no one to fill his appointment, he rode eight 
mUes to it, preached twice with great power. 



78 war ANOTHER SECT. 

returned home and went to bed, to die. He 
gradually grew worse, but was conscious and 
happy. He would often sing Ms favorite 
hymns : 

" How happy every child of grace 
Who knows his sins forgiven." 
And 

" My soul's full of glory, 
Inspiring my tongue." 

One morning on waking he said, ' ' I have 
seen the King of Grlory, and slept in his 
palace. I was so intimate with the angels !" 

Not a murmur once escaped his lips, in the 
most severe paroxysms of pain. Sabbath 
morning, the 31st of January, he was thought' 
to be dying, and his room was filled with a 
weeping multitude. His voice failed, and he 
lay gazing into heaven, all entranced with its 
glories that were beaming down upon him. 
He was waving his hands in triumph. His 
wife bent her ear to his lips and heard him 
whisper. Hail ! hail ! all hail ! ! 

After a short silence, he suddenly roused 
and sung : 

" We'll praise him again 
When we pass over Jordan." 

His father asked: "William, is all well ^" 
With a look of unspeakable joy he answered 
three times, " All is well." 

Gradually the silver cord was unloosed, and 



RSr. WM. C. KENDALL. 79 

on Monday "morning, Feb. 1, 1858, at half -past 
ten o'clock, this Christian warrior, who had 
ever been valiant for the truth, laid aside his 
armor to wear his crown. But he was victori- 
ous in death, as in life. 

After his death, those who had been his vio- 
lent persecutors seemed to. vie with each other 
to do honor to his memory. It has always 
been so with formal, persecuting churches. 
It was so in our Savioiir' s day. 

Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hyp- 
ocrites ! because ye 'build the tombs of the 
prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the 
righteous and say, If we had been in the 
days of our fathers, we would not have been 
partaTcers with them in the blood of the proph- 
€fe.— Matt, xxiii, 29-30. 

The Genesee Conference, at its next session, 
instead of trying and expelling him, adopted 
the following tribute to his memory : 

" He fell at his post, in the midst of one of 
the most promising revivals that had ever at- 
tended his labors. It was remarked by his pre- 
siding elder. Rev. G. Fillmore, that notwith- 
standing all his previous ministerial success, he 
had never known a time when there was such a 
prospect before him of extensive usefulness as 
when he was taken sick ; and he had never 
known an instance where a preacher had so 



80 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

interwoven himself into the affections of all 
the people. 

It may be said of Brother Kendall, that he 
fell a martyr to his work. The day after he 
was taken sick, he went to an appointment, 
and preached with much earnestness and pow- 
er ; and when his wife endeavored to dissuade 
him from going to another, his Christian reply 
was, ' ' I want to say something to the people 
at Potter's Corners, which they will always 
remember." He made the effort, but was soon 
obliged to stop. This was his last effort. He 
was taken home, and never after left his house 
till he was conveyed from it to his resting- 
place in the grave. 

His end was such as a life like his can not 
fail to insure. It was not only peaceful, but 
triumphant. A short time before he died, he 
said, " I have been swimming in the waters of 
death for two days, and they are like sweet 
incense all over me." Sometimes he would 
wave his hands in ecstacy, saying, "Why, 
heaven is coming dovm to earth ! This is 
heaven ! I see the angels ! They are flying 
all through the house." He often sang his 
favorite hymns, suggestive of the bliss of 
heaven. 

Just before his departing, his afflicted com- 
panion held her ear to catch the accents of 



REV. WM. C. KENDALL. 81 

what lie seemed to be uttering in a whisper, 
and distinctly heard him breathe out, as from 
his inmost soul, "Hail! Hail! All haU ! I see 
light, light !" I see was uttered with emphasis. 
One asked, " Is all well?" He sweetly replied, 
and repeated it three times, "All is well !" He 
suffered a brief conflict with the powers of 
darkness, but soon obtained the victory, and 
exclaimed, ' 'Jesus the conqueror reigns ! ' ' Thus 
lived and died our beloved brother, William 
C. Kendall, a man honored of God, and greatly 
beloved by all who knew him." 

Well may the Conference place upon its Re- 
cords that "he FELL A MAETYETO HISWOEK." 

Would it not be well for the surviving partici- 
pants in the proscription which sent him upon 
a large, hard circuit, and who followed him 
with their calumnies until his sensitive nature 
could bear no more, to ask who is responsible 
for his martyrdom ? He belonged to a long- 
lived family, had a vigorous constitution, and 
was capable of doing an amount of work which 
but few men could perform. To all human 
appearance he should have lived and labored 
for years. 

We close our chapter with the following 
extract from a letter written to us by Rev. 
Seymour Coleman, now gone to glory — then a 
venerable preacher of the Troy Conference : 



Si WHY ANOTHER 8EI 'T. 

FoET Edwakij, March 8, lso7. 
Deae Beothee Robeets: 

This morning I received your letter, giving the 
information of the death of our dear Brother Ken- 
dall. You say he died in triumph. Let us raise the 
shout of victory for him here, while he sings praise 
above. He will have no more hard appointments; 
thank God! 

The hours I have spent with him are very pleasant 
in their recollection. I think the church, and the 
world might have had him longer, if they had used 
him better. 

I shall try to build on the Rock against which the 
gates of Hell can not prevail. I can yet say, none 
of these things move me. The truth of God, " the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth," I am en- 
deavoring yet to publish to a lost and helpless world, 
and am not left alone in so doing. I have been at 
various places the past winter, laboring to bring men 
to Christ, and have seen the salvation of the Lord. 

Please write to me as often as you can. Keep me 
ajiprised of all movements that are of interest to 
yourself or the cause of God. 

I remain as ever, your brother and companion in 
the labor and patience of Jesus, and hope to meet 
with you and yours in the glorious rest that remains 
for the jjeople of God. 

Farewell. 

iSkymour Coleman. 



CHAPTER V. 

RELIGION OP THE MA.JOBITY. 

Bishop Simpson says, speaking of those 
with whom the Free Methodist Chnrch origin- 
ated : 

" In their writings and speeches they complained 
of the decline of spirituality in the church, charg- 
ing the church -with tolerating, for the sake of gain, 
the worldly practices of its members, and its depart- 
ure both in doctrine and discipliae from the teachings 
of the fathers." 

In showing the state of religion promoted 
by the dominant party in the Genesee Confer- 
ence, we shall first lay before our readers the 
accounts which we published respecting it at 
the time. We shall then show from their own 
confessions that our representation was more 
favorable than the reality. 

In the church trials that took place at that 
time, every effort was made by the dominant 
party to make out as strong a case as possible 
against those whom they intended to expel. 
In making out charges against those whom 
they had decided to try, it is right to conclude 
that they brought the worst accusations which 
they thought they could prove. Party feeling 
ran high, and inclination and interest com- 



84 WHY ANOTHMR SECT. 

bined to lead them to make out as bad a case 
as possible against theii- opponents. They 
were not in a mood to convict one of these of 
handing a brother an obnoxious tract, when 
they thought they could convict him of any- 
thing serious. 

I was tried for writing an article published 
in the Northern Independent, entitled "New 
School Methodism." It is fair to conclude 
that this is as bad a specimen of the class of 
writings to which the Bishop alludes, as could 
be found. 

We had previously been styled "]S"ew school 
Methodists," in an article published in the 
BttffaloAdvocate, the organ of the .dominant 
party. We showed that the appellation prop- 
erly belonged to our opponents. Though 
differing with them, we wished to treat them 
fairly. So we took this course. For fear that 
we might misrepresent their views, we stated 
them as we found them expressed by one of 
their leading preachers in an editorial of the 
Buffalo Advocate, and copied into the New 
York Christian Advocate and Journal. It set 
forth, as we believed then, and as we believe 
stUl, the doctrinal views from which we diff- 
ered. This article, from which we quoted 
fairly, was indorsed by leading men of the 
dominant party. We never heard of its being 



NEW SCHOOL MMTHOBISM. 80 

disapproved by any of that party. The fact 
that there was a great division in the Con- 
ference had become notorious. Our opponents 
had, from time to time, in the Buffalo Advo- 
cate and other papers, in neither truthful nor 
respectful language, set forth their version of 
matters. We thought the time had come for 
us to set ourselves right before the public. 
This vs^e endeavored to do in the following 
article which was published over our well 
known signature in the Northern Independent, 
of which I was at the time, a corresponding 
editor. ' 

We call especial attention to it, as it is their 
own selection of the worst things which we 
had said against them. 

"STBW SCHOOL mbthouism:. 

The best seed, sown, from year to year, on poor 
soil, gradually degenerates. The acorn, from the 
stately oak, planted upon the arid plain, becomes a 
stinted shrub. Ever since the fall, the human heart 
has proved a soil unfavorable to the growth of truth. 

Noxious weeds flourish everywhere spontaneously, 
-yrhile the useful grains require diligent cultivation. 

Correct principles implanted in the mind need con- 
stant attention, or monstrous errors will overtop 
them and root them out. Every old nation tells the 
tale of her own degeneracy, and points to the golden 
age when truth and justice reigned among men. 

Religious truth is not exempt from this liability to 



86 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

corruption. " God will take care of his own cause," 
is a maxim often quoted by the cowardly and the 
compromising, as an apology for their base defection. 
When His servants are faithful to the trusts reposed 
in them, it is gloriously true; when they waver, 
His cause suffers. The Churches planted by the 
Apostles, and watered by the blood of martyrs, now 
outvie heathenism itself in their corruptions. No 
other parts of the world are so inaccessible to Gospel 
truth as those countries where the Romish and Greek 
Churches hold dominion. 

As a denomination, we are just as liable to fall by 
corrupting influences, as any were that have flour- 
ished before us. "We enjoy no immunity from 
danger. Already there is springing' up among us a 
class of jjreachers whose teaching is very different 
from that of the fathers of Methodism. They may 
be found here and there throughout our Zion; but in 
the Genesee Conference they act as an associate body. 
They number about thirty. During the last session 
of this Conference^ they held several secret meetings, 
in which they concerted a plan to carry their meas- 
ures and spread their doctrines. They have openly 
made the issue in the Conference. It is divided. 
Two distinct parties exist. With one or the other 
every preacher is in sympathy. This difference is 
fundamental. It does not relate to things indiffer- 
ent, but to those of the most vital importance. It 
involves nothing less than the nature itself of Chris- 
tianity. 

In showing the doctrines of the New School Meth- 
odists, we shall quote from The Advocate of the 
sect, published at Buffalo. This is the organ of the 



NEW SCHOOL METH0DK2I. 87 

party. It is sustained by tlieiu. They act as its 
agents. Where their influence prevails, it is circu- 
lated to the exclusion of other religious papers. Its 
former title was " The Buffalo Christian Advocate." 
But since its open avowal of the new doctrines, it 
has significantly dropped from its caption, the ex- 
pressive word " Christian." This omission is full of 
meaning. It is, however, highly proper, as we shall 
see when we examine its new theory of religion.^ We 
commend the editor for this instance of honesty. It 
is now simply " The Advocate ;" that is, the onli/ 
Advocate of the tenets it defends. 

The New School Methodists aflfect as great a de- 
gree of liberalism as do Theodore Parker and Mr. 
Newman. They profess " charity " for everybody 
except their brethren of the Old School. In an arti- 
cle on " Creeds," published in 2^he Advocate of April 
16th, under the signature of W. the Rev. writer, a 
prominent New School minister, lays it on to " the 
sects whose watchword is a creed," in a manner not 
unworthy of i Alexander Campbell himself. He says, 
" No mattef how holy and blameless a man's life may 
be, if he has the temerity to question any tenet of 
' orthodoxy,' he is at once, in due ecclesiastical form, 
consigned to the Devil — as a heretic and infidel. 
Thus are the fetters of a spiritual despotism thrown 
around the human reason. * * * * j;^jj^ g^ j^ j^^g 
come to pass, that in the estimation of multitudes — 
the teachings of Paul are eclipsed by the theories of 
Calvin, and the writings of John Wesley ate held in 
higher veneration than the inspired words of St. 
John." Is not this a modest charge ? 

But their theory of religion is more fully set forth 



88 H7/r ANOTHER SECT. 

in the leading editorial of The Advocate for May 
14th, under the title — Christianity a religion of 
beneficence rather than of devotion." Though it ap- 
pears as editorial, we have good reason to helieve 
that it was written by a leading New School member 
of the Genesee Conference. It has not been dis- 
avowed by that party. Though it has been before 
the public for months, no one has expressed a dissent 
from its positions. It is fair to suppose, that it repre- 
sents the views of the leaders of this new movement. 

It says, " Christianity is not characteristically, a 
system of devotion. It has none of those features 
which must distinguish a religion grounded on the 
idea, that to adore the Divine character is the most 
imperative obligation resting upon human beings. It 
enjoins the observance of but very few sacred rites; 
nor does it prescribe any particular mode for paying 
homage to the Deity. It eschews all exterior forms, 
and teaches that they who worship God niust wor- 
ship him in spirit and in. truth." 

The Old School Methodists hold, that " to adore 
the Divine character " is the most imperative obliga- 
tion resting upon human beings — that Christianity 
has all of those features that must distinguish a religion 
grounded on this idea. That he who worships God 
rightly, will, as a necessary consequence, possess all 
social and moral virtues ; that the Gospel does not 
leave its votaries to choose, if they please, the degra- 
ding rites of heathenism, or the superstitious abomi- 
nations of Popery; but prescribes prayer and praise 
and the observance of the sacraments of baptism and 
the Lord's Supper, " as particular modes for paying 
homage to the Deity;" that there is no necessity for 



NISW SCHOOL METHODISM. 80 

antagonism, as Infidels and Universalists are wont 
to affirm, between spiritual worship and the forms of 
worship instituted by Christ. 

The following sneer is not unworthy of Thomas 
Paine himself. It falls below the dignity of Vol- 
taire. " Christianity in nowise gives countenance to 
the supposition, that the Great Jehovah is so affected 
with the infirmity of vanity, as to receive with^ecM- 
liarly grateful emotions, the attention and offerings 
which poor human creatures may pay directly to Him. 
in worship." 

The above may be sufficient to show what Chris- 
tianity is not, in the opinion of these New School 
divines. Let us now see what it is. " The character- 
istic idea of this system is benevolence; and its prac- 
tical realization is achieved in beneficence. It conse- 
crates the principle of charity, and instructs its- 
votaries to regard good works as the holiest sacrifice, 
and the most acceptable which they can bring to the 
Almighty. ******* 

" Whatever graces may be necessary to constitute 
the inner Chritian life, the chief and principal one of 
these, is love to man. * * * 'Y\\q great condition 
upon which one becomes a participant of the Gospel 
salvation, is — some practical exhibition of self-abne- 
gation, of self-sacrifice for the good of others. Go 
sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, were 
the only terms of salvation which Christ proposed to 
the young man, who otherwise, was not far from the 
Mngdom of heaven." 

The Old School Methodists hold that benevolence 
is only one of the fruits of true religion, but by no 
means the thing itself. In their view, " The principal 



90 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

grace of the inner Christian life" is love to God; 
and " the most acceptable sacrifiio we can render 
Hiir, is a broken and contrite heart. They teach 
that the great condition upon which one becomes " a 
participant of the Gospel salvation ' is faith in 
Christ— preceded by repentance. They read in the 
Gospel that the young man referred to, was com- 
manded by Christ to " come, take up the cross and 
follow );?(?." The giving of his goods to the poor 
was only preparatory to this. 

The New School Methodists hold that justification 
and entire sanctification, or holiness, are the same — 
that when a sinner is pardoned, he is at the same 
time made holy — that all the spiritual change he may 
henceforth expect, is simply a growth in grace. — 
When they speak of "holiness," they mean by it 
the same as do evangelical ministers of those denom- 
inations which do not receive the doctrines taught- 
by Wesley and Fletcher on this subject. 

According to the Old School Methodists, merely 
justified persons, while they do not outwardly commit 
sin, are conscious of sin still remaining in the heart, 
such as pride, self-will, and unbelief. ' They continu- 
ally feel a heart bent to back-sliding; a natural 
tendency to evil; a proneness to depart from God, 
and cleave to the things of earth. Those that are sanc- 
tified wholly, are saved from all inward sin— from 
evil thoughts, and evil tempers. No wrong temper, 
none contrary to love, remains in the soul. All the 
thoughts, words and actions are governed by pure 
love. 

The New School ministers have the frankness to 
acknowledge that their doctrines are not the doc- 



NEW SCHOOL METHODISM. 91 

trines of the Church. They have undertaken to cor- 
rect the teachings of her standard authors. In the 
same editorial of " The Advocate," from which we 
have quoted so largely, we rea"d: "So in the exerci- 
ses and means of grace instituted by the Church, it 
is clearly apparent that respect is had, rather to the 
excitation of the religious sensibilities, and the cul- 
ture of emotional piety, than the development of 
genial and humane dispositions, and the formation of 
habits of active, vigorous goodness." 

Here the evils complained of are charged upon 
" the exercises and means of grace, instituted by the 
Church." They do not result from a perversion of 
the means of grace, but are the effects intended to be 
produced in their institution. It is the chukch, 
then, that is wrong — and so far wrong that she does 
not even aim at the development of proper Christian 
character. " The means of grace," in the use of 
which an Asbury, an Olin, a Hedding, and a host of 
worthies departed and living, were nurtured to spirit- 
ual manhood, must be abolished; and others, adapted 
to the " development of genial and humane disposi- 
tions," established in their place. The lodge must 
supersede the class and the love feast ; and the old fash- 
ioned prayer meeting 'must give way to the social 
party! Those who founded or adopted "the exercises 
and means of grace instituted by the Church" — 
Paul and Peter, the Martyrs and Reformers, Luther 
and Wesley, Calvin and Edwards — all have failed to 
comprehend the true idea of Christianity — for these 
all held that the sinner was justified by Faith in 
Christ, and not by " some practical exhibition of self- 
abnegation." The honor of distinctly apprehending 



Oa WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

and clearly stating tlie true genius of Christianity, 
was reserved for a few divines of the nineteenth 
century! 

In our next we shall show the usages and results so 
far as developed, of New School Methodism. 

USAGES RESULTS. 

Differing thus in their views of religion, ' the Old 
and Xew School Methodists necessarily differ in their 
measures for its promotion. The latter build stock 
churches, and furnish them with pews to accommo- 
date a select congregation; and with organs, melo- 
deons, violins, and professional singers, to execute 
difficult pieces of music for a fashionable audience. 
The former favor free churches, congregational sing- 
ing, and spirituality, simplicity and fervency in 
worship. They endeavor to promote revivals, deep 
and thorough; such as were common under the labors 
of the Fathers; such as have made Methodism the 
leading denomination of the land. The leaders of the 
New Divinity movement are not remarkable for pro- 
moting revivals; and those which do, occasionally, 
occur among them, may generally be characterized as 
the editor of " the Advocate " designated one which 
fell under his notice, as " splendid revivals.'''' Preach- 
ers of the old stamp urge upon all who would gain 
heaven, the necessity of self-denial — non-conformity 
to the world; purity of heart and holiness of life; 
while the others ridicule singularity, encourage by 
their silence, and in some cases by their own example, 
and that of their wives and daughters, " the putting 
on of gold and costly apparel," and treat with dis- 
trust all professions of deep Christian experience. 
When these desire to raise money for the benefit of 



NJEW SCHOOL METHODISM. 93 

the Churcli, they have recourse to the selling of pews 
to the highest bidder; to parties of pleasure, oyster 
suppers, fairs, grab-bags, festivals and lotteries; the 
others for this purpose, appeal to the love the people 
bear to Christ. In short, the Old School Methodists 
rely for the spread of the gospel upon the agency of 
the Holy Ghost, and the purity o"! the Church. The 
New School Methodists appear to depend upon the 
patronage of the worldly, the favor of the proud 
and aspiring; and the various artifices of worldly 
policy. 

If this diversity of opinion and of practice among 
the ministers of our denomination, was confined to 
one Conference, it would be comparatively unimpor- 
tant. But unmistakable indications show that pros- 
perity is producing upon us, as a denomination, the 
same intoxicating effect, that it too often does upon 
individuals and societies. The change, by the Gen- 
eral Conference-of 1852, in the rule of Discipline, re- 
quiring that all our houses of worship should be built 
plain, and with free seats; and that of the last Gen- 
eral Conference in the section respecting dress, show 
that there are already too many among us, who would 
take down the barriers that have hitherto separated 
US from the world. The fact that the removal is 
gradual, so as not to excite too much attention and 
commotion, renders it none the less alarming. 

Every lover of the Church must feel a deep anxiety 
to know what is to be the result of this new order of 
things. If we may judge by its effects in the Gene- 
see Conference, since it has held sway there, it will 
prove disastrous to us as a denomination. It so hap- 
pened, either by accident, or by m.anagement, at the 



94 WHY ANUTHEK SECT. 

division of the Genesee Conference, eight years ago, 
that most of the unmanageable veterans, who could 
neither be induced to depart from the Heaven honor- 
ed usages of Methodism, by the specious cry of 
" progress " nor to wink at such departures, by the 
mild expostulations of Eli, " Why do ye thus my 
sons !" had their destination upon the east side of 
Genesee River. The first year after the division, the 
East Genesee Conference had twenty superannuated 
preachers: the Genesee Conference but five. "Men 
of progress " in the prime of life, went west of the 
river, and took possession of the Conference. For 
the most part, they have borne sway there ever since. 
Of late, the young men of the Conference, uniting 
with the father.^, and thus united, comprising a ma- 
jority of the Conference, have endeavored to stojj 
this " progress " away from the old paths of Method- 
ism. But the " progressive* " make up in manage- 
ment what they lack in numbers. Having free ac- 
cess at all times to the ears of the Episcopacy, they 
have succeeded, for the most part, in controlling the 
appointments to the districts and most important 
stations. If, by reason of his obvious fitness, any 
impracticable adherent of primitive Methodism has 
been appointed to a district or first class station, he 
has usually been pursued, with untiring diligence, 
and hunted from his position before his constitutional 
term expired. 

In the bounds of the Genesee Conference, the peo- 
ple generally are pre-possessed in favor of Method- 
ism. During the past eight years there have been no 
external causes operating there against our prosper- 
ity, that do not operate at all times and in all 2)Iaces. 



WBW SCHOOL METHODISM. 95 

Within this period, the nominal increase of the Church 
in that Conference has been but seven hundred and 
eighty. The East Genesee Conference has had an 
increase, within the same time, of about two thous- 
and five hundred. In order to have simply kept 
pace with the population, there should have been 
within the bounds of the Genesee Conference, one 
thousand six hundred and forty-three more members 
than there are at present. That is in eight years, 
under the reign of new divinity, the Church has suff- 
ered, within the bounds of this one Conference, a 
relative loss of fifteen per cent in members. 

The Seminary at Lima, at the time of the division, 
second to none in the land, has, by the same kind of 
management, been brought to the brink of financial 
ruin. 

We have thus endeavored to give a fair and impar- 
tial representation of New School Methodism. Its 
prevalence in one Conference has already, as we have 
seen, involved it in division and disaster. Let it 
generally prevail, and the glory will depart from 
Methodism.. She has a special mission to accomplish. 
This is, not to gather into her fold the pi;oud and 
fashionable, the devotees of pleasure and ambition, 
but, " to spread scripture holiness over these lands." 
Her doctrines, and her usages, her hymns, her history 
and her spirit, her noble achievements in the past, 
and her bright prospects for the future, all forbid 
that she should adopt an accommodating, compro- 
mising policy, pandering to the vices of the times. 
Let her go on, as she has done, insisting that the great, 
cardinal truths of the Gospel shall receive a living 
embodiment in the hearts and lives of her members, 



96 WHY ANOTHER ^SVT. 

and Methodism T\'ill continue to be the favored of 
Heaven, and the joy of earth. But let her come 
down from her position, and receive to her com 
munion all those lovers of pleasure, and lovers of the 
world, who are willing to pay for the privilege, and 
it needs no prophet's vision to foresee that Methodism 
will become a dead and corrupting body, endeavor- 
ing in vain to supply, by the erection of splendid 
churches, and the imposing performance of powerless 
ceremonies, the manifested glory of the Divine pres- 
ence, which once shone so brightly in all her sanctu- 
aries. 

' Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways and 
see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way 
and walk therein-, and ye shall find rest for your 
souls.'' " 

Is there anything wrong in that article? 
That was our representation of the state of 
religion in the Genesee Conference at that time, 

We give the opinion which responsible parties 
expressed of that article when it first appeared. 

Dr. Hibbard, who was, at that time, editor 
of the Northern Qhristian Advocate, to whom 
we sent the article for publication sent us the 
following letter. After it was clear that we 
were in the minority, Dr. Hibbard wrote against 
us with great zeal and, as we think, unfairness. 

" Deak Brothek Robbets : 

I return your communication as you requested, not 
feeling it prudent to publish. I presume you can 
not see things as I do from my stand point. Your 



REV. F. •&. HIBBARD. 97 

communication would involve me in hopeless contro- 
versy, which would make me much trouble and 
perplexity, with no hope, as I view it, of doing sub- 
stantial good to the church, or cause of Christ. 
I d& not speak this against your article considered by - 
itself, but of the controversy which your article would 
occasion. Tour article appears to me to be written in, 
as mild and candid a tone as such facts can he stated 
in. Be assured, my dear Brother, that in the doc- 
trine of holiness, in the life and power of religion, 
in the integrity and spirit of Methodism, I have a 
deep and lively interest. I labor to promote these. 
But I could not feel' justified in taking sides in the 
question that now unhappily divides the Genesee 
Conference. May the Lord bless you and all his 
ministers, and give peace and purity to the churches. 
Ever yours in Christ, 

AUBUEN, Aug. 10, IBS'?. F. G. lilBBAEU." 

A presiding elder of the Oneida Conference 
wrote lis, soon after the publication of our ar- 
ticle, as follows : 

"Sbpt. 1, 1857. 
Deae Beothbe: 

I am gratified with your exposure of the "New 
Divinity," that is cursing our church. It is creeping 
into our Conference and doing immense mischief. 
Keep the, monster in the light." 

Another prominent minister of the same 
Conference wrote us : 

" If you had belonged to our Conference we would 
have given you a vote of thanks for writing that 
article." 



98 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

Suclx is the opinion of distinguislied men, 
well qualified to judge, of our account of the 
state of religion, which the dominant party were 
promoting. 

We give a few extracts from their own wri- 
tings to show that their opinion, when they had 
the candor and the courage to express it, did 
not differ so materially' from ours. Read them 
carefully, and see if their own representation 
of the state of religion among them is not worse 
than the one we gave. 

The following editorial from the Buffalo 
Advocate, was copied into the Christian Ad- 
nocate and Journal : 

"eELIGIOUS INTEEEST in BUFFALO. 

We have none; we have no more than is usual 
through the year. We do not intend to convey the 
idea by the above heading that there is any special 
movement among us, or that there is any marked 
efforts toward getting souls converted, or keeping 
those converted who are already in the Church. 
The great movement among us is, we judge, to deter- 
mine how far the church can go back to the world, 
and save its semblance to piety, devotion, and truth. 
Hence, many, many Church members have become 
the most frivolous and jDleasure-loving, and folly-tak- 
ing part of our towns people. They love, give and 
sustain the most popular, worldly amusements, such 
as dancing, parties, card-parties, drinking-parties, 
masquerade and surprise parties, and have no dispo- 
sition to come out from the world and be seoarate 



RELIGION IN B UFFALO. 99 

from it. All this may be seen, read and known in 
more or less of the Buffalo churches." 

We ask any intelligent person if these are 
not more serious charges than any to be foiiBid. 
in our article on "New School Methodism." 
We dealt more with speculative opinions — 
but this article accuses them of a want of ex- 
perimental and practical piety. 

The Rev. Wm. Hart commented in the 
Noriliern Independent on the above article 
as follows : 

" Now the question is, are these charges true or 
false T If false, is the Advocate aware what it costs 
to slander the church in these days ? It saw a couple 
of men beheaded for an offence which dwindles into 
superlative insignificance, when compared with, these 
wholesale charges. Let us look at them. 

1st. No effort towards getting souls converted. 

2d. No effort to keep souls converted. 

3d. 'The great movement,' 'the marked effort 
is to gain a position where they can just balance be- 
tween God and the devil' 

4th. 'The church members are frivolous, folly- 
loving, and pleasure-taking, even more so than those 
who are openly in the way to hell.' 

5th, ' They love, give and sustain dancing parties, 
card-parties and drinking- parties ; etc., and have no 
disposition to do otherwise.' 

These are the charges ; now for the testimony. 
Bf o. Robie called. Are the above charges true respect- 
ing the churches in Buffalo ? Ans. ' All this may be 



100 WHY ANUTHER SECT. 

seen, read and known in more or less of tlie Bnffalo 
Churches.' 

Dr. Stevens sends out these awful charges to his 
thousands of readers, on the simple assertion of the 
^Lclvocate, without waiting to know the facts. How 
he has anathamatized the Northern Independent, as 
A'illifying and slandering the church; but since its 
commencement, to the present day, where will we 
find anything to equal the above from Bros. Robie 
and Stevens ? Now if the above charges cannot be 
sustained, should not Bro. Robie be prosecuted for 
slandering the Buffalo churches, and Dr. Stevens for 
" publishing and circulating" " slanderous reports ?" 
If they belonged to the Genesee Conference, and 
were charged with abusing and slandering the church, 
they would, ecclesiastically, be sent higher than 
Haman. In the Genesee Conference, the above extract 
from the Advocate, would be considered as slander- 
ous, whether true or false. So, Messrs. Editors, you 
had better take care. What was Bro. Roberts' and 
McCreery's fault, compared with yours ? Where or 
when have these brethren ever said anything half so 
severe as this from the Advocate? But, if what 
Bro. Robie writes be time, why all this hue and cry 
against the so-called Nazarites ? The same ungodly 
influences, and the same proneness to comply with 
them exist in other places as well as Buffalo. And 
would it be strange, if like causes produce results 
like those now being experienced by the Churches 
in Buffalo ? The same state of things narrated by 
the Advocate, has and does exist in other places. The 
temptations of the devil have been listened to, and 
the prayer meeting has given way to the social party ; 



RELI&ION IN B UFFALO. 101 

entire consecration has died, out and the spirit of com- 
IDromise between the Church and the world obtains; 
foiTnality and indifference respecting the salvation of 
sonls, have taken the place of spirituality, and the 
love which constrains ' to seek the wandering souls 
of men.' To counteract these effects, a few faithful 
souls stood up for Jesus, and like the Hebrew chil- 
dren, declared they would not fall down and worship 
the worldly gods which those ' frivolous, folly-loving 
and pleasure-taking members' and ministers are 
setting up. This, as everybody knows, that knows 
any thing about it, was the origin of Nazaritism. The 
natural antagonism between sin and holiness has 
(.■aused all the trouble. While the current flows 
along, as Bro. Robie says it does in Buffalo, and no- 
body stands up for Jesus and proclaims the whole 
trnth, theiy will have peace and prosperity; but it 
will be the peace of death, and the prosperity of 
those ' whose eyes stand out with fatness.' If Bro. 
Robie would stand out as an uncompromising expo- 
nent of the whole truth, and in the might of the 
Spirit bear a decided and open testimony against all 
worldly connections and associations that are cursing 
the Churches in Buffalo, he would see such a commo- 
tion and storm of ojDposition, as has been seen and 
felt in other places. But, glory to God, souls would 
be awakened and saved. Then would commence the 
work of persecution, for, as he that was born after 
the flesh, persecuted Him that was born after the 
Spirit, ' even so is it now.'' If Bro. Robie would 
take this position with an eye single to the glory of 
God, and seek to root out dead formality, by a living, 
earnest Christianity, and make ' special efforts ' for 



102 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

the conversion of sinners, he would be to all intents 
and purposes, a Nazarite. "Will Bro. Robie take 
this stand, and see and feel the salvation of God, or 
will he let the Buffalo Churches drift down to ever- 
lasting woe, unwarned, he following in their wake ?" 

The means adopted to promote this religion, 
which ridiculed without mercy " a religion of 
devotion," were not unworthy of the religion, 
sought to he promoted. 

IVe extract from the Buffalo Courier the 
follovi'ing friendly notice of a " Clam bake and 
chowder festival," held for the benefit of the 
Magara Street M. E. Church : 

"clam bake and chowder. 

The spot selected for the clambake was Clinton 
Forest, situated about a half a mile from the road. 
This place, containing about twenty acres, was sur- 
rounded by a neat board fence, and ten cents was 
demanded from each visitor for admission within the 
enclosure. Within we found thousands of people, 
some ventilating their garments on swings^ some 
playing games of different descriptions, hundreds 
eating ice-cream., coffee, ham, fowls, and other sub- 
stantials, while the great mass opened, swallowed or 
gorged themselves with clams. Clams was the cry — 
from every corner came the echo, clams ! clams ! and 
the odor of clams went up and down, odorous as ex- 
quisite ottars, and fragrant as a back-kitchen about 
dinner-time. 

At other points on the ground were many tables, 
spread with delicacies of all sorts, behind which hand- 
some women added their voices to urge on appetite ; 



CLAM BAKE AND CHOWDER. 108 

flower tables were many, where young and pretty 
damsels waylaid peounious young men with their eyes, 
and persuaded them, into floral purchases ; iue-cream 
booths, where shillings were exchanged for the frigid 
luxury, aceom.panied with parallelogrammatio sec- 
tions of sponge cake ; there were other places where 
money could be laid out to advantage in many ways, 
but of them we remember none. At the rope-walk, 
a building which appeared to us to be a mile long, a 
large crowd had collected, and to the music of two 
bands were jumping about and perspiring to their 
heart's content, which privilege cost each dancer ten 
cents. The air in this place was so intensely hot and 
high flavored, that we positively failed to get the 
programme of the dances. In the main grounds,the 
Union Cornet band, with their new instruments, de- 
lighted the crowds with their music, while the Twi- 
light Serenaders were kept musical all day long, by 
the voices of women and girls, who surrounded them 
with a rampart of charms, denying their egress 
without some specimen of their vocal attributes. 
The singers fairly made themselves hoarse with their 
efforts. All was hilarity and enjoyment throughout 
the afternoon, everybody appearing to be happy just 
in proportion as they had absorbed clams. We 
call particular attention to this neto social meteor, 
in consequence of hearing some gentlemen,who never 
were considered musical, successfully attempting the 
■" Star Spangled Banner," with variations, about thirty 
rods from Clinton Forest, where a contraband lager 
beer merchant had opened his wares. No one will 
be unkind enough to intimate that the music came 
from the lasher. ISTo ! 



104 WHY ANOTHER f<ErT. 

The festival altogether was a success, and has ini- 
tiated a new order of excursions, which we hope will 
be followed up. The receipts at the gate were over 
four hundred dollars, we understand, and at the dif- 
ferent booths, etc., several hundred dollars more. 
The proceeds are for the benefit of the Niagara street 
Methodist Church, and will prove a great assistance 
to them in paying off the debt of the church. The 
ladies, particularly, deserve the highest encomiums 
for their efforts and attempts to make the festival a 
model one, and carrying it on to triumph." 

The person who stood at the door of the 
rope- walk and collected "ten cents" of each 
one who attended the dance, was said to be a 
member of one of the M. E. churches in the 
city ; and the proceeds, after " paying for the 
music," went to the benefit of the church. 
The character of those who in a city like Buf- 
falo would be likely to attend a ten-cent dance 
held under the auspices of a respectable 
church, may be readily imagined. 

The Xiagara St. Church, for the benefit of 
which this (festival was held, was the oldest 
M. E. Church in the city. It was once highly 
prosperous. Here Eleazer Thomas preached 
holiness, after the pattern of Asbury, in the 
power of the Holy Ghost. At this church we 
were stationed the iifth year of our ministry. 
It was the only appointment inade for us with 
which we ever tried to interfere. "We felt 



HELmiON IN BUFFALO. 105 

deeply our lack of ability, experience and 
grace, to fill so important a position. "We en- 
treated the Bishop not to send us there. But 
when we were sent, we resolved to do our duty 
faithfully. God kept us from compromising, 
and gave us a good revival of religion. The 
members generally were quickened and many 
sinners were converted. A few — less than half 
a dozen — composed of secret society men, and 
one or two proud women, encouraged by a 
former, secret society pastor, held out and op- , 
posed the work. 

Ever since the church edifice had been built, 
there had been on it a mortgage of a few thou- 
sand dollars. This we agreed to see paid if 
they would make the seats free. We had a 
good proportion of the amount necessary to 
do it pledged, when at the end of the first 
year, through the influence above referred to, 
we were removed, and a man of the other party 
sent in our place. The people were finally 
persuaded that what they needed was a more 
imposing church edifice. So the church — a very 
substantial stone building — was remodeled, 
a new front built, a large organ placed in the 
gallery, and tall gothic chairs in the pulpit. 
All the money was raised that could be raised 
by selling the pews, by taxing the members to 
the utmost of their ability, and by making one 



lOG WHY ANOTHER tiECT. 

of the largest liquor dealers in the city trustee 
and treasurer. So great was the zeal excited 
among the members to "save the church," 
that one of the most godly women we had 
known up to this time, was induced to preside 
at one of the tables at the clam-bake and 
chowder entertainment ! 

But all was of no avail — the church edifice 
Avas sold to pay the indebtedness upon it, and 
the members were scattered. This church has, 
for many years, been a Jewish synagogue. 

After Adolently freeing the Conference from 
the presence and influence of those whom they 
had pronounced " disturbers of its peace," 
and obstacles to its prosperity, the dominant 
party became alarmed at its rapid decline from 
even their own standard of prosperity. In 
their minutes for 1865, they published a report 
on "The State of the Work," on which report 
the editor of the Northern Independent had 
the courage to comment as follows : 

" GENESEE CONPEEENCE OP M. E. CHTTRCH. 

A copy of the Minutes of the last session of this 
Conference lies upon our table. Its mechanical exe- 
cution is excellent, and reflects credit upon all 
ooncemed. With the matter in general, we are 
equally pleased. Each page, if we except the account 
of the " Conference Camp-meeting," bears marks of 
diligence and candor. But what strikes us most, is 
the report on the 'State of the Work.' It is able, 



GENESEE CONFERENCE RELKJION. 107 

pungent, truthful, humiliating. Yet it would have 
been more so, had all the facts in the case come out. 
Their language of confession wants translating, and 
then it would read much like the following : 

' They said one to another, we are verily guilty 
concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish, 
of his soul, when lie besought us, and we would not 
hear : therefore is this distress come upon us.' And 
Reuben answered them, saying, spake I not unto 
you, saying, 'Do not sin against the child, and ye 
would not hear ? Wherefore behold also his blood is 
required.' — Gen. xlii, 21, 22. 

But let us have their own statement of the sad 
condition of affairs in a Conference from which all 
traces of Nazaritism and ' Contumacy' have been 
carefully excluded. As this purgation has been 
eminently expensive to common sense, moral princi- 
ple, and Methodist Discipline, one would suppose 
that it might have been pvolifio of mere numbers and 
of a certain kind of self-respect. Yet, even in these 
poor results it fails, and hence they say : 

1. " Our revivals liave not been, either in number 
or extent, what we desired, or had reason to expect. 
Are we G-od's ministers, commissioned and sent forth 
by the Great Head of the Church, to win souls 
to Christ, and must we, in so many instances, 
pass on, year after year, with no marked results? 
Are we doing our whole duty, as preachers of the 
everlasting Gospel, while the years go by, and that 
Gospel seems essentially powerless in our ministra- 
tions ? While we are the appointed guardians of the 
churches, must we, of necessity see them moving on 
to inevitable extinction ? This is not God's will. 



108 WHY ANOTHER .SECT. 

The fault lies, in part, at least, at our own doors. 
There is, on the part of many of us, cause for pro- 
found humiliation before God, and for the most 
serious inquiry whether we are not essentially failing 
of the great ends of our ministry. 

2. "Another unfavorable feature in our condition 
is the fact, that in many, perhaps in most of our 
churches, the membership is made up, almost wholly, 
of persons far advanced in life. We see among 
them very few of tlie young. In a large portion of 
our churches, we rarely find a young man in the 
Official Board. This indicates a lamentable want of 
extensive revivals among us, for the past ten tears. 
These aged persons in our churches are true and 
faithful, and worthy of all honor. But they will 
soon pass to the church triumphant. There are, per- 
haps, scores of churches in our Conference, the very 
existence of which seems to depend on the lives of 
one, two or three men now far advanced in years. 
These meij are rapidly passing away. It is obvious 
that, in many places, nothing can save our cause but 
powerful and far reacliing revivals of religion. 

"Another very great evil among us, and one fraught 
with most damaging results to God's cause and all 
our interests as a Conference, is the engaging in sec- 
ular pursuits by so many of our ministers. This evil, 
during the past two years, has been largely on the 
increase. It is needless to spend time to show the 
error of a practice so obviously contrary to both the 
spirit and letter of our commission, and of our min- 
isterial vows. "We claim to have obeyed the voice of 
the Master, " Go ye into all the world and preach the 
Gospel to every creature," at the altars of the church. 



&E1S[ESME CONFERENOB RELieiON. 109 

In the presence of God and man we have solemnly 
pledged to be men of one work, and how can we, 
conscientiously, engage in occupations that must 
■divide our interest, energies, time and affections. 
This practice is alarmingly shaking the confidence 
of the people in us, as ministers of the Lord Jesus. 
They say we are as greedy of gain, as covetous of 
large possessions, as easily swept into wild specula- 
tions as any other class of men. This loss of confi- 
dence in the ministry is not confined to those alone 
who engage in secular pursuits, but extends rneasura- 
bly to the whole body. Thus the innocent suffer 
with the guilty, and our hold upon the jjeojDle is lost." 
The chronology of the above is worthy of note, 
and we have marked it by putting the words in capi- 
tals. It is now almost ten years since that Confer- 
ence arrested the character of one of its ablest and 
most useful ministers, and finally expelled him for 
slander — which slander consisted in writing an article 
for this paper, on "New School Methodism." 'The 
article reflected pretty severely on some usages cur- 
rent in that and other Conferences, but was not one 
whit more. scathing than this report on the "State of 
the Church." Its allegations indeed were not as 
broad, nor were its developments as alarming. A 
keen observer, however, at that time saw the evil in 
its incipiency — saw a ministry shorn of its strength, 
secularized, unsuccessful, and the church dying out — 
saw exactly what this official document declares 
began to exist ten years ago. The brave man whose 
eyes, anointed of God, saw this deplorable condition 
of the Genesee Conference, should have been re- 
warded by something better than expulsion, for he 



110 WHY ANOTHER SMCT. 

meant well, spoke well, and is now fully endorsed by 
the Conference itself. We saw the injustice done, 
saw it at the time it -nas done, and gave notice of 
the fact; but our words were then, as they probably 
will be now, unheeded, and the Conference went on 
its way trying men for " Contumacy " and expelling 
such large numbers of their very best ministers 
and laymen, that absolute ecclesiastical annihilation 
stares them in the face. This result will surprise 
none. It is but the inevitable consequence of a 
wrong course. Had the leaders of that once pros- 
perous section of the Church listened to good coun- 
sel, they would not be uttering their De profundis, 
but their Nunc dimittis, and each valiant soldier of 
the cross, looking back over a well contested field 
could say, "I have fought a good fight." 

Ten years of spiritual barrenness, the seculariza- 
tion of the ministry to such an extent that the peo- 
ple have lost confidence in them, and many other 
evidences of decline should satisfy the Conference 
that it has done wrong — that its administration has 
cast down those whom God has not cast down. By 
way of helping them out of their trouble, we suggest 
that the Conference at once reconsider its action in 
the case of all who have been expelled on mere tech- 
nical grounds, and thus restore those on whose 
account God has sent leanness into all their bord- 
ers." 

The Conference as a body went on a few 
years longer. Many of the leading preachers 
had lost the confidence of the people to that 
degree that they took transfers to other Con- 



GENMSEE CONFERENCE RELI&ION 111 

ferences. New men were introduced to supply 
the work. But all was of no avail. They 
could not get up even a show of prosperity. 
They were united with other Conferences for a 
time — their name changed — and after a general 
change of preachers, were again restored as a 
Conference, with the old name. But with all 
this management, and with the help of such 
lodges as could be drawn into the support of a 
religious sect, there has been a steady decline. 
In their minutes for 1858 they reported : 
Members and probationers, 13,656 

In 1878, on the same territory, 12,744 

showing as the result of the labors for twenty 
years oi over one hundred preachers in a ter- 
ritory in which the people are prepossessed in 
favor of Methodism, a decrease of nine hun- 
dred and twelve members. 

Of the state of religion in general, at that 
time the Rev. Jesse T., now Bishop Peck wrote: 

" What a mass of backsliders there are now in 
the church, for the very reason that they have been 
satisfied without going on to perfection." ' 

Of the light given by the baptism of the 
Holy Ghost, he said : 

" It trembles to see that the outward splendor of 
the church, once deemed the reliable evidences of 
success, are but the attire of a harlot, both revealing 
and inviting illicit intercourse with a godless world." 



11-3 WHT ANOTHER 8ECT. 

Do you find anytMng as severe as tliat in 
'' iS'ew School Methodism?" 

From all tliat we learn, we judge that the 
state of religion generally has not, tinder this 
new dispensation, greatly improved. We 
quote the following, which is going the round 
of the papers, credited to Dr. Newman : 

" The morality of the church is radically defective. 
The church is rich, and she is extravagant. The 
pleasures of the world are more to her than the joys 
of piety. Her love of gain is a by-word. She 
stretches out her arms to grasp the islands of the sea, 
while the fires of devotion burn dimly on her altars. 
Many a church m^ember, who often says, ' Lord, 
Lord,' would let a piece of property for a saloon 
where husband and father spend their time and 
money in drink; or for a gambling place, where 
young men are rained; because he "can command 
thereby a higher rent." 

Is not reform in the church still needed ? 

We have thus given our readers the article 
which the dominant party in the Genesee 
Conference selected as the worst which we had 
wTitten against them. From their own pub- 
lished accounts we have shown that the state 
of religion among them was even worse than 
we had represented. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE PEOSCEIBED RELIGION. 

In shoAving the kind of religion promoted 
by the men proscribed by the Genesee Confer- 
ence, we shall give a specimen of the accounts 
published about it by their opposers. We 
shall the'n, in order to prove the falsity of these 
representations, give the reports made by dis- 
interested witnesses, of some of the most 
objectionable of the meetings held under the 
auspices of the men accused of promoting "a 
spirit of wild fanaticism." 

For the articles published at that time by 
the proscribed, responsible names were given. 
We endeavored to write the truth, and were 
willing to meet it. Those who wrote against 
us generally did so over fictitious signatures. 
For the editorials which appeared in the Buf- 
falo Advocate^ and in the Northern Christian 
Advocate, the editors of course assumed the 
responsibility. Numerous false and vindictive 
attacks were made by unknown parties. They 
did their best to kill reputations, but like 
assassins, " concealed the hand that struck the 
blow." 

We quote from one of the most respectable 



114 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

of these Avritiiigs. It was first published in 
the Medina Tribune, Sept. 11, 1856, a year 
before " Xew School Methodism" was written. 
It is evident that its author was a member of 
the Conference : 

" XAZAEITE REFOBMEKS AXD BEFOEMATIOW. 

Spurious reformers are as plenty as blackberries, 
and as contemptible as plenty. Incapable of com- 
prehending the moral condition and wants of society 
around them, and also of understanding 'the modes 
or processes by which reformation is to be effected, 
they believe, or affect to believe, that they are the 
chosen instruments of some greatly needed social 
regeneration — whose necessity or possibility, none, 
beside themselves, are able to discover. Mistaking 
a desire to do something grand, for a call to a great 
undertaking; and the wish to be known to fame, for 
a prophetic intimation of some splendid achievement 
— they go forth before the world, putting on strange 
and uncouth airs, which they expect everybody will 
regard as proof of the ' divine fury ' with which they 
are possessed; and repeating nonsensical and clap-trap 
phrases, which they have mistakingly selected as the 
watchwords of a reformatory movement. The ri- 
diculous figure they cut excites the laughter and jeers 
of all — save those who are as addled and silly as 
themselves. By such, however, they are frequently 
mistaken for real prophets; and the gaining of a few 
proselytes always confirms both in their lunacy. 

AVe, of the Genesee Conference, have such a batch 
of false prophets — such pseudo reformers among us. 
And such a group of regenerators as the Nazarites com- 



THM PROSCRIBED RELIGIOK 115 

pose, we can not believe -was ever before brought to- 
gether by the force of a common belief in a divine call to 
a great work. "Whence, or why the idea ever struck 
them that they were the chosen ministers of a nev: 
reformation, will probably never be rescued from the 
dimness and uncertainty of speculation. They jsro- 
bably felt the motion of something within them — it 
may have been wind in the stomach — and mistook it 
for the intimations of a heaven-derived commission, 
summoning them to the rescue of expiring Method- 
ism, and the inauguration of a new era of spiritual 
life in the history of the Wesleyan movement. 

Take a look at this knot of men in the light of 
correctors of spiritual abuses and corruption — and it 
is under this title that they present themselves in 
their confederated Nazarite capacity, to the Method- 
ist public. They pretend that many wicked and 
corrupt practices have grown up in the church — and 
above all in the ministry, and claim, that they ha^-e 
come forward as the champions of jDrimitive and 
gospel purity, simplicity and holiness. In taking up- 
on themselves this character and office, they not only 
accuse their ministerial brethren of having ' dejaarted 
from the faith,' but also, assume that thej- themselves 
are pre-eminent for moral cleanliness and Christian 
purity. The modesty of these pretensions can not 
fail to excite the admiration of all. But the truth of 
these pretensions is what we are more particularly 
interested in. Are these men so much better — morally 
and religiously — than their compeers, as they would 
have the world believe ? ^Yhat fruits of transcen- 
dant godliness do they exhibit? Their professions 
indeed are loud and pretentious, but what of their 



116, Wiry ANOTHEB SECT. 

loorJtsf Does holiness display itself in spiritual 
pride, in arrogant boastings of goodness, in canting 
and crabbed long-facedness, in gross and filthy vitu- 
perations ? In that case the palm of excellence must 
indeed be yielded to them. Upon what meat, pray, 
do these Xazarites feed that they have grown good so 
fast? 

To them, religion still appears to be a system of 
outward forms and symbols, of material ceremonies, 
and corporal manifestations, of animal influence and 
nervous sensations. With them, a long face and 
sanctimonious airs answer for inward purity and 
goodness of heart. In their creed, a high-sounding 
profession takes precedence of a holy life, and getting 
happy in a religious meeting is laid down as an indu- 
bitable proof of the divine favor. Boisterous shouting 
and screaming, while engaged in devo- 
tional exercises, they call serving God. An observ- 
ance of certain prudential, disciplinary requirements, 
they esteem a more important duty than the practice 
of the precepts contained in the golden rule. They 
consider plainness in dress of greater moment than 
uprightness of character. An ornamental ribbon or 
flower upon a lady's bonnet is — in their eyes, — an 
enormity greater than the sin of lying : and the 
wearing a ring or bracelet they think is more dan- 
gerous and damning than covetousness or slander ; 
and generally, they preach with more powerful vehe- 
mence against superfluity of outward apparel, than 
against the breach of the Ten Commandments. With 
them, a broad-brimmed, bell-crowned hat is equiva- 
lent to "the helmet of salvation," and a shad-bellied 
coat to the robe of righteousness. 



THE PROSCRIBED RELIGION. 117 

But what means do these reformers employ to ac- 
complish their ends ? Do they go forth to the people 
with words of truth and soberness, striving to make 
men better by pressing, with fervent eloquence and 
earnest, rational appeals, the declaration of God's 
word up'on the heart and conscience of the hearers ? 
No ; their harangues to the people consist of factious 
addresses, cant phrases, and rant ; of protestations of 
their own spotlessness, and both open and concealed 
imputations upon the Christian and ministerial char- 
acter of their brethren. Junius." 

Among the older members of the Conference 
understood to belong to the class to which this 
article refers, were such men as Asa Ab^U, 
Benajah Williams, John P. Kent, Samuel C. 
Church, and Amos Hard. Among the younger, 
such men as William C. Kendall, Loren Stiles, 
and I. C. Kingsley, — men who, in point of 
talent, education, and general information — to 
say nothing of piety — would not suffer in 
comparison with those who publicly treated 
them with such contempt. As the reader 
compares the tone and spirit of this article 
with "New School Methodism," let him bear 
in mind that this is one of the more respectable 
of its class. There were others too low and 
scurrilous to be republished. 

To prove the state of religion among them, 
we have given their own testimony. 

To show the character of the religion thus 



118 WHY ANOTHER HECT. 

denounced, we call attention to the following 
testimony of ministers in good, and some of 
them in high standing in other Conferences of 
the M. E. Church. 

We give iirst a report published . in the 
Northern Christian Advocate, written by the 
Rev. William Reddy, who, for many years, 
was a presiding elder in the Oneida Conference. 
The Bergen Camp Meeting was considered by 
our opposers the most objectionable of all our 
meetings. Some of them called it the "hot- 
bed of fanaticism." The meeting here referred 
to,. was held the spring before we were expelled. 

"THE BBEGEN C AilP-MEETIXG. 

" There were one hundred and four tents on the 
ground, in a delightful woods owned by the Associa- 
tion, and which maybe very much improved with a lit- 
tle outlay. God was there. I believed, I felt he was 
there; and many were the living witnesses of his pow- 
er to save, not only to forgive, but also to cle^se 
from all unrighteousness. I heard old Methomsts 
from Boston and from Connecticut say, with streamlhg 
eyes and bounding hearts,. " This is as it used to be 
forty years ago." I regretted much that I did not see 
Brothers Sliles and Abell, who had left the ground to 
attend the examinations at Lima, the former to deliver 
an address before one of the societies, and the other 
as a trustee. I confess that I felt my heart strongly 
united with these " fellow-citizens of the saints, and 
of the household of God." The aoctrine of sanctifi- 
calion after the John Wesley standard, the definite 



BMRGEN CAMP MEBTINQ. 119 

way of seeking the blessing, the spontaneous confes- 
sions of having obtained it, on the part of intelligent 
and mature persons, the duty of exemplifying it by 
self-denial and universal obedience, the keeping the 
rules of the Discipline, " not for wrath, but con- 
science' sake," the patient and loving endurance of 
opposition and persecution for Christ's sake, if need 
be, were all earnestly taught and enforced, and many 
were the witnesses. And some of "the priests [min- 
isters] were obedient to the faith," i. e. ; they were 
wonderfully blest and baptized. 

I learned that quite a large number were convert- 
ed. I left Brother Ives preaching, while Brother 
Gorham of the Wyoming Conference, was to exhort 
after him. 

AuBFKN, June 25, 1858.' Wm. Reddt. 

The following account of the same meeting 
is from the pen of Hev. B. I. Ives, D. D., of 
i;he Oneida Conference : 

"bbegbn camp meeting. 

The meeting was by far the largest that I have 
ever attended, and is said to have been the largest 
and best that has ever been held in Western New 
York. There were a hundred and four cloth tents, 
and many of them were very large, and all of them 
appeared to be well filled. The congregations were 
large and very attentive all through the meeting. On 
the Sabbath there must have been at least, five 
thousand people present, and yet, so far as I couldi 
discover or learn, the best of order prevailed, and 
all appeared anxious to hear the 'words of salvation.' 

There were two things connected with this camp- 



120 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

meeting with which I was particularly impressed. 
The first was the number of intelligent business and 
influential men, that were there with theii- families, 
tented upon the ground, and who staid all through 
the meeting, laboring for God and the salvation of 
souls. This is as it should be. 

The second thing that I noticed particularly, was 
the spirit of prayer and labor for the conversion of 
sinners, and the sanctiiication of believers, that was 
manifested from the very commencement to the close 
of the meeting. I saw nothing like mere visiting or 
idling away precious time, which I am sorry to say 
we sometimes see at camp-meetings. But here all 
appeared to feel as though they had come for one 
object — the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 
So much was this the case that when strangers came 
upon the ground, they were led to say, as several 
brethren in the ministry and others did to me, ' God 
is here. There is power here; there appears to be 
a stream of holy fire and power encircling this camp- 
ground.' And so it was. There appeared to rest 
upon all, as they came within the circle of tents, a 
holy impression that God was there in awful power, 
to awaken, convert, purify, and save souls. This was 
realized and felt, not only in the public congregation, 
and under the preaching of the word, but in the class 
and prayer-meetings, that were held in the different 
tents. Such was the power of conviction that rested 
upon many of the unconverted, that in several in- 
stances they came unasked into prayer-meetings, and, 
weeping, requested the people of God to pray for 
them. And I can but believe that this would be the 
case all over our land, if the Church of God were 



BERGEN CAMP MEETING. ' 131 

baptized with holiness and power. Who does not 
feel like singing, 

' 0, that it now from heaven might fall !' 

There were over thirty different ministers present, 
to say nothing of the large band of local preachers 
who ' were on hand, ' full of faith and the Holy 
Ghost,' and who had a ' mind to work.' There were> 
several preachers at the camp-meeting from other 
Conferences, such as Bros. Parker, Gulick, Wood, 
Wheeler, Brown, Tinkham, of East Genesee, Wm. 
Reddy, of Oneida, and B. W. Gorharh, of Wyoming. 

Rev. S. C. Church and Asa Abell, (both ex-presi- 
ding ciders, I believe) had charge of the meeting, 
and they both appeared very much at home in that 
kind of business. The preachers all appeared to vie 
with each other in trying the most effectually to 
preach Christ to the people, and of course the bless- 
ing and power of God attended their efforts. And • 
not in a single instance were sinners invited to come 
to the altar and seek the Lord, but what there were 
more or less that came, and generally a large number. 

I left the ground the night before the meeting 
closed, so that I do not know the probable number 
that were converted or reclaimed, but there must have 
been a large number; and no doubt hundreds Avill 
praise God in eternity, that they attended the Bergen 
oamp-meeing. 

I must not stop until I speak of the Love-Feast 
that was held at eight o'clock on Wednesday morn- 
ing, which was indeed a ' feast of fat things,' and 
a time of salvation, power, and glory. I was partic- 
ularly interested in hearing some of the old veterans 
of the cross relate their experience, some of which 



132 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

were the richest I have ever heard; and to see their 
countenances beam with joy, and lighted with glory, 
as they would say, ' This makes me think of my con- 
version. This remimds me of the early days of 
Methodism in this country. This is such a camf)-meet-' 
ing as we used to have thirty, or forty, or fifty years 
ago.' 

I saw nothing that appeared 'like wild-fire,' or mere 
' animal excitement,' during the entire meeting. The 
motto was: 'order and power.' And all the people 
of God seemed to be baptized with the real, old-fash- 
ioned 'Jerusalem fire.' And I pray God that we 
may have more of this in all our Churches. Praise 
God for camp-meetings, and let all the people say, 
Amen. B. I. Ivbs. 

AuEUEx^ June 28, 1858. 

The next meeting of wMch we give an ac- 
count was held on the same ground the next 
year, the spring following the first expulsions. 
The writer of this was also a member of the 
Oneida Conference. 

" BBEGEN CAMP-MEETING. 

We arrived on the ground on Friday morning, (the 
second day of the meeting) and it seemed that the 
meeting was farther advanced in interest and power, 
than some meetings we have attended were, during 
their last days. It is evident that these persons live 
nearer to God at home and bring the real fire with 
them. At ten o'clock Bro. Wm. Cooley, preached 
from Ps. xxiv, 3, 4 — a very good sermon. At two 
p. M., Brother Herriok preached from Matt. xvi. 15. 



BER&EN CAMP MEETmG. 123 

At seven o'clock Brother Thomas preached from John 
iii, 9. It was a gospel sermon. 

Saturday morning, June 23. 

B. T. Roberts preached at ten o'clock. What was 
remarkable in this sermon, the speaker did not as 
much as refer to his troubles, but the sweetest and most 
heavenly spirit seemed to reign through the whole 
discourse. If he continues to maintain the spirit he 
now possesses, his foes must all fall powerless at his 
feet. 

Dr. Redfield pjeached at two p. m. from Matt, v, 
16. He showed that the human mind was not capa- 
ble of concocting a scheme of religion that would meet 
the demands of our fallen nature. He then argued 
that sensible men could not be prevailed upon, to em- 
brace a system of religion that did not work in them, 
and regulate their inward life, as well as the outward 
man. ^ " Let your light shine," first ; by giving glory 
to God with your voice. Second, by walking in the 
highway of holiness. 

At four o'clock the Laymen's Convention met. 

We did not see anything in their proceedings, but 
what we could endorse. These laymen are men of in- 
telligence, power and prudence. May God give the 
church more such all over this land. In the evening 
A. L. Backus, preached from Rom. v. 1, subject Jus- 
tification by faith. Sunday morning the writer 
talked a little from Matt, xxi, 22. Subject, Prevail- 
ing Prayer. The Lord helped. At ten o'clock Dr. 
Redfield preached from Jer. ix, 3. 'They are not 
valiant for the truth.' After this, there were prayer 
circles formed all over the ground, and the power of 
God was greatly manifested among the people. Per- 



124 WHY ANOTHER 8ECT. 

feet order reigned, thougli there were probably 
12,000 people on the ground. God's order evidently 
obtained. 

At two o'clock, Rev. B. I. Ives preached from 2 
Cor. iv, 4. The glorious Gospel of Christ. Sunday 
evening, Bro. A. B. Gregg, of the Oneida Confer- 
ence preached from Jer. vi, 16. At seven o'clock, 
Bro. C. D. Brooks, of the Indian Mission preached 
on the Gospel Feast. The Lord evidently reigned 
over the great congregation during this day. Not- 
withstanding the great mass of people present, perfect 
order prevailed during the whole day. 

Monday morning, Bro. Purdy took for his text 
Matt, vii, 24-2V. He said there were two kinds of 
people in the world. First, thot.e who hear the words 
of Christ, believe and do them. Second, those who 
hear, believe and do not. At two o'clock, Bro. John 
W. Reddy preached from Phil, iv, 6-7. He preached 
an excellent sermon. Sister Purdy then spoke of her 
illness; said she realized more than ever, that the 
rules of the M. E. Church were barely strict enough 
to get us to heaven. In the evening, Bro. Watts 
preached from ' Now is the accepted time.' It was a 
good sei-mon. 

Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, Bro. Selby of 
the East Genesee Conference preached from Lev. 
XX, 7. 

Wednesday, Bro. Wm. Reddy preached on the 
baptism of the Holy Ghost. — Matt, iii, 11-12. 

This meeting was one of the strongest we ever 
attended. We had heard so much about this people, 
that when we went on the ground, for a little while we 
were on the come and see bench, but we soon found 



LAYMEIS'S CAMP MBSTING. 125 

that ttese persons had nothing but what a, few of our 
people have in the Oneida Conference. They are a 
people full of faith, and when they pray, they look 
for immediate results. They are as intelligent a 
class of people as you will find in any congregation 
in the State of New Tork. They are clear in their 
views of holiness, according to our standard authors, 
and according to Scripture. We want to be identi- 
fied with the principles and doctrines held by this 
much persecuted people. If there is any shame con- 
nected with them as long as they stand where they 
now do, we want to bear our part. 

Maeathon, July 15. J. F. Ceawfoed. 

The Black Creek camp-meeting of wMcIl 
the following accounts were published, was 
held the same year : 

"laymen's camp mebtibtg. 
I have lately attended a Layman's camp-meeting, 
which was held near Belfast, Allegany Co., N. Y., 
ably conducted by Rev. C. D. Burlingham. I sat 
under the preaching of Rev. B. T. Roberts and Rev. 
J. McCreery, who are charged with fanaticism and 
enthusiasm. They are in earnest to have the Church 
gain heaven, and seek full salvation from all sin. 
These men are blessed of God. I arrived on the 
camp-ground Sunday evening. The stars shone 
brightly on the smiling earth; the voice of prayer 
rang with music from the leafy temple; a flood of 
celestial light came down from heaven; the spirit of 
praise inspired each Christian with the fullness of 
divine melody; a solemn awe pervaded the hearts of 
the people; a voice from heaven spake to the impeni- 



126 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

tent, and rent the vale of sin. Scores wf re reclaimed 
and converted to God. Great and po^^erfnl manifes- 
tations were made. These men of God were con- 
formed in their instructions to the wisdom of God, 
which flowed down upon them like a golden stream 
of light from heaven. They were animated by 
inspiring love, while thousands of the assembly were 
inspired with confidence in the preaching of Eldad 
and Medad. Swelling raptures burst forth and filled 
the leafy edifice with songs of universal love. ' Shall 
they prevail in the combat of evil elements?' In 
spite of all opposition, and the secret combinations 
of men, ' They shall prevaiV Jesus says, ' Pear not, 
I am with you.' Ika A. Weaa-ek, 

Phillipsvllle, July 25, 1859. A Wesleyan." 

The following is by a local preacher from 
the city of JSTew York : 

"OLl) EASHIONBD METHODISM. 

The above is the most proper name I know of to 
give to the preaching, and exhortations and exercises 
I heard and saw at a camp-meeting which commenced 
on the sixth and closed on the thirteenth of this 
month, near Black Creek, in Western New York, 
and also at a meeting in Bergen, N. T., which com- 
menced on the twenty-third of last month. I 
attended both meetings, and heard the blessing ' of 
entire sanctification preached and enforced as it used 
to be by Wilbur Fisk, B. C. Eastman, A. D. Mer- 
rill, Asa Kent and others of the old time. Perfect 
order was observed, and the wicked, as they came on 
the ground with their large cudgels, seemed to be 
awed into reverence by the power of the Spirit 



MAMMOTH CAMP MEETING. 137 

which prevailed. Many found the Saviour, some of 
whom told us they came to make fun, hut God 
answered prayer, and convicted and converted them; 
and many heeded the warm invitations of God's ser- 
vants, and sought and found full redemption in the 
hlood of the Lamb. Oh ! that the religion of west- 
ern NeiW York may spread over these lands. 

J. Palmee. 

The following account of another layman' s 
camp-meeting, was written by a preacher from, 
we believe, the Philadelphia Conference. 

" MAMMOTH CAMP-MEETING. 

Sept. 2nd 1858. We arrived at Gasport about one 
o'clock, and took private conveyance to the great, 
mammoth camp-meeting, about two miles from the 
depot. This meeting had commenced the day pre- 
vious, and was in Niagara County, about twenty -five 
miles from Niagara Falls. Some sixty or seventy 
tents were pitched on the gl-oupd, which has a fine 
elevation, and is finely shaded with beautiful sugar 
maple and highland oak. 

I had the pleasure of introductions to numerous 
brethren, and spent some profitable moments with 
Bros. Roberts, McCreery and Jenkins, and also Bro. 
Johnson of the Wesleyan connection. 

The preaching of the brethren was eminently ex- 
perimental and practical. Prayer, praise and shout- 
ings were heard from every part of the ground. On 
Sabbath it was supposed that ten thousand persons 
were on the ground. I sa\F no rowdyism during the 
meeting. I was surprised to learn that camp-meet- 
ings were a new thing in that immediate neighbor- 



128 y^HY ANOTHER SECT. 

hood. On Sabbath morning, after Brother Roberts 
had concluded his sermon, Miss Hardy, a member of 
our church, and a graduate of Genesee College, arose 
and delivered an affecting exhortation, before the 
vast auditory. I am glad to see this feature of Meth- 
odism revived among us. When Methodism was 
young and vigorous, we had female class-leaders and 
exhorters. Brother Ives preached in the afternoon, 
and notwithstanding the strong wind, his splendid, 
camp-meeting voice arrested the attention of thou- 
sands. On Monday morning we left for Niagara 
Falls, and the meeting was to continue till Wednes- 
day. I have not heard the final result ; but no doubt 
it was glorious. J. D. Long." 

While the Conference was in session at 
Brockport, in October 1859, Pay H. Pnrdy 
held a Camp-Meeti,ng in a meadow a short dis- 
tance north of the village. The following ac- 
count of the meeting was given in the Brock- 
port paper. 

" CAMP-MEETING. 

The services of the camp-meeting continue of the 
most interesting character. The spacious pavilion 
is crowded with attentive thousands, listening with 
eagerness to the heart-stirring appeals made by the 
ambassadors of Christ. The altar is crowded with 
weeping penitents at nearly every service. The 
number of converts we have been unable to ascer- 
tain, but we presume the conditions of Mr. Purdy's 
pledge will be more than met, — that if one hundred 
souls were converted, he should feel it his duty to 
appoint a similar meeting at the Conference next 



BROCKPORT CAMP MEETING. IS^ 

year. Mr. Thurston continues to labor witti the 
ability, fervor and success, that have marked all his 
efforts while he has been at this meeting. He seema 
more free and powerful and honored of God since 
that noble stand he took in reference to the Bishop's 
interference with his labors here. The Bishop per- 
emptorily ordered him to leave the meeting, and not 
participate in these services. This prelatieal assump- 
tion of power was met with the manly independence 
that it richly merited. Rev. Mr. Whitney, of the Troy 
Conference, made, at different times, some of the 
most solemn, moving appeals to the hearts and^ con- 
sciences of men, that we have ever listened to. He 
is in feeble health, and looks like one sent from the 
grave to warn the living to prepare for judgment. 
The services on Sabbath morning commenced with a 
love-feast, which reminded the aged of the Methodist 
love-feasts of by-gone years. At half past ten. Rev. 
"Wm. Hosmer, Editor of the Northern Independent,. 
preached to a congregation of from six to eight 
thousand people, a most eloquent and impressive dis- 
course from the text, ' Blessed are they that do hunger 
and thirst after righteousness.' Every sentence was a^ 
proverb. He is a noble specimen of a Christian man, 
original, sincere, fearless, and full of faith in God. 
At the close of the service, Mr. Purdy said ' he was 
about to make an announcement that no one but 
himself was cognizant of. He said he never shrunk 
from responsibility, when God spoke to him. He 
felt that his duty was clear, and he now offered the 
J)latform to B. T. Roberts, an expelled member of 
the Genesee Conference, to proclaim salvation to the 
people in the afternoon. He hoped no one would 



130 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

come who believed Wm to be a bad man.' At two 
p. M., the spacious tent was crowded to its utmost 
capacity, and Mr. Roberts preached an evangelical 
discourse from ' Son of man, I have made thee a 
watchman.' 

In the evening the Rev. Mr. Thurston again 
preached an overwhelming sermon from ■" Ye must 
be born again." The tent was crowded, and a deep 
solemnity pervaded the entire mass of human beings. 
Some forty, we should judge came forward as seek- 
ers of salvation. Mr. Purdy, who has no equal in the 
management of sifch meetings, remarked at the close, 
that the law of order had prevailed with but slight 
exceptions — who the exceptions were he would not 
now say, but would say that they were not common 
sinners. The congregation was dismissed, and re- 
tired quietly from the ground, carrying impressions 
that will not soon be forgotten. At 10 A. M., Dr.* 
Palmer, of New York City, preached with unction 

and power. In the afternoon. Rev. Mr. , of the 

East Genesee Conference, preached a powerful sermon 
from "Be not weary in well doing." He was fol- 
lowed by exhortations by Rev. Mr. Wells and the 
Rev. L. Stiles of the Genesee Conference. A prayer 
meeting followed — the altar was filled with penitents 
— the praying continued till a late hour, and a large 
number professedly passed from death unto life. 

On Tuesday, Rev. Mr. Foster, of the Oneida Confer- 
ence, preached an able sermon full of power. The 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to 
between four and five hundred. The scene was 
affecting to all who beheld it. The concluding ser- 

*Noi the well-kaown physician, but a local preacher. 



JDEDICA TION A T ALBION. 131 

vices on Wednesday morning were most solemn and 
impressive. After a love feast such as we have never 
been in before, the multitude of believers marched 
around the area embraced within the circle of tents 
and took the parting hand, never all to meet again 
till they meet at the judgment seat." 

We next give an account of the dedication 
of the Free Methodist Chnrch at Albion. 

A correspondent of the Buffalo Advocate 
wrote : 

"The services of the dedication were conducted 
by Rev.' Asa Abell, one of the fathers of the Genesee 
Conference, who made the opening prayer ; the 
reading, of the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Requa, of the 
Wisconsin Conference, a sermon from the celebrated 
Dr. Bowen of the Oneida Conference, after which the 
dedicatory prayer was made by Mr. Ives, who particu- 
larly thanked God for stirring up the people to build a 
free house of worship, and implored his special 
blessing upon the various portions of the house, 
including its fixtures, then and there consecrated to 
him." 

The Buffalo Morning Express published 
the following account of these services : 

"We rejoice in every provision that is made for 
preaching the Gospel to the masses. The tendency 
of the exclusive system upon which most of the 
churches in the cities and large towns in Western 
New Tork are conducted, is to alienate the masses 
from religious worship. In a church where a few 
have their pews which they occupy, as a right, the 



132 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

many will not feel like intruding, nor will they consent 
to advertise their poverty, from Sabbath to Sabbath,by 
occupying seats reserved for the poor. Hence, we 
are glad to chronicle the success which has crowned 
the efforts to build a Free Church in Albion. The 
Rev, L. Stiles, who, with others, were expelled by 
the Genesee Conference, at its lapt session, for doing 
his duty as a Christian minister, was invited by the 
great majority of the church at Albion, which he had 
served with great acceptability for the two previous 
years, to continue his labors among them, as a 
minister of Jesus Christ, and he accepted the invita- 
tion. Rather than have any disturbance, they gave 
up the church property, to which they were legally 
entitled, and proceeded at once to purchase a lot, 
and erect a house of worship. This house was 
yesterday dedicated to the worship of God by the 
Rev. E. Bowen, D. D., of the Oneida Conference, of 
the M. E. Church. His sermon, on holiness, founded 
upon 1 Cor. vi, 2 : " For ye are bought with a price," 
etc., was most able, impressive, and made a profound 
impression upon the vast congregation in attendance. 
In the evening, the Rev. B. I. Ives delivered one of 
his powerful appeals from the words : " "VYe will go 
with you : for we have heard that God is with you.'' 
The thrilling shouts of the people showed that the 
truth fell upon ears capable of appreciating it. The 
house was crowded to its utmost; some 1300 being 
present, and many left, unable to get in. The house 
thus dedicated, is a substantial structure, 101 feet by 
55. The audience room — the largest in the place — 
pleasant and commodious, will seat about one thou- 
sand persons. A basement, the whole size of the 



Q UABTERL Y MEETING A T ALBION. 133 

building, entirely above ground, affords pleasant and 
convenient rooms for class and prayer meetings, and 
Sabbath-school. The lecture room in the basement 
will hold six hundred persons. The house is plainly 
and neatly lurnished, and lighted with ga§. The 
cost of the whole has been in round numbers about 
$10,000. The whole has been paid or provided for. 
. About $4,500 were raised yesterday and last evening. 
For this result, credit is due to Rev. B. I. Ives, 
through whose indefatigable exertion, the whole 
amount called for was secured. Mr. Stiles has 
collected a large and intelligent congregation, a 
devoted, pious, working church, and with their 
present facilities for doing good, the best results 
may be anticipated. The meeting was continued 
over the Sabbath, the Rev. B. I. Ives preaching 
with more than his usual power. The sacrament 
was administered to some four hundred or more com- 
municants, and the season was one long to be 
remembered. In the evening, the altar was filled 
with penitents." 

The following is an account of the first Gen- 
eral Quarterly Meeting held in the Free Meth- 
odist Church at Albion. It was written by 
Rev. George Fox, who was at that time a 
member of the Wisconsin Conference of the M. 
E. Church ; but. who afterwards united with 
the Free Methodists, and after laboring among 
them a few years with great zeal and success, 
died in holy triumph. 

" The exercises of the General Quarterly Meeting, 
from beginning to end, were attended with the divine 



134 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

presence and glory. The scene of the Sabbath, na 
human tongue or pen can describe; and the effort we 
here attempt, is but a feeble one. Let the imagina- 
tion of the reader be brought up to its highest point; 
and then but a faint idea, can be formed of the 
glorious scene. 

At nine o'clock, the hour for Love-Feast to com- 
mence, there were together not less than a thousand, 
plainly dressed, and methodistical appearing persons, 
anxious to catch the first accent of testimony that 
might be given, in favor of him who gave his life for 
all. The testimonies given in that Love-Feast, were 
not the jingling of old rusty coppers of past expe- 
rience, but the ring of the gold of present communion 
with God. 

Oh ! how my faith in the divinity of our holy re- 
ligion was increased, as I heard many of my old class- 
mates, and many that had been converted since I left 
that country, testify that the blood of Christ, was all 
powerful to cleanse from all sin. I may be considered 
" wild, or simple as a child," but I did get blessed in 
love-feast, and it has feasted me all the way to 
Wisconsin. 

Brother Ives preached at ten and one-half. The 
sermon was a masterly effort ; his thoughts were 
brilliant, his manner pleasing, and his language elo- 
quent. It was taken down by a reporter, for one of 
the Albion dailies, but I think he failed to report the 
glory part of it. 

I do not understand why it should be a, crime in 
some countries to serve God, get happy, and shout 
God's praises. 

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was adniinis- 



REV. &. H. FOX. 135 

tered to four hundred and forty persons, while the 
bright glory of Him, whose death we there celebrated 
was present, to encourage, sustain and happify. 

Brother Ives preached in the evening, and at the 
close of the sermon, invited such as were sinners and 
felt their need of a Saviour, to the altar. Fourteen 
weeping penitents came forward, and in answer to 
prayer, God came down, and honored the new 
Church by clearly converting to himself precious 
souls. 

* Let me say in conclusion, much has been said in 
the west in regard to the Genesee Conference 
" Nazarites." Now, Brother Hosmer, I have seen for 
myself, and I can exclaim as one did after being 
permitted to look upon Solomon's glory and splendor 
' that half was never told me.' I have met tried 
friends of former years, heard them relate, with 
tearful eyes, their trials; I have worshiped with 
them, and I find my sympathies moved in behalf of 
the oppressed ones within the bounds of the Genesee 
Conference. When that Sister told me that her 
husbatid's dying request was that Rev. B. T. Roberts 
should preach his funeral sermon, and because of 
complying with that request, his funeral could not 
be attended in the church, although he had paid his 
money to erect it, and to support the cause of Meth- 
odism in that place; and when I heard devoted Chris- 
tian brethren (acquaintances of other years) tell of 
being read out of the church without being tried, 
and without their consent, I could but say, 'God de- 
liver us from such ecclesiastical usurpation.' 

G. H. Fox" 
Asa Abell said in the Northern Independent., 



136 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

Marcli 10, 1859, in reference to the -charge of 
fanaticism : 

" I have been a member of the M. E. Church for 
over forty-three years, and an unworthy preacher of 
the Gospel for nearly or quite forty years, and 
whether I do or not, I am sure I ought to Tinow what 
is that form of Christianity called Methodism ; and 
although the pressure which some have felt upon 
them from the strange and unhappy circumstances 
existing among us for several years past, has, as I 
have thought, unfavorably modified, in a few in- 
stances, (but so far as I recollect, in a comparatively 
slight degree,) the spirit manifested by some, yet am 
I constrained to declare that to my apprehension, 
there is nothing am'ong us where I am acquainted, 
which justifies the charge of a new oype of Method- 
ism. I regard the charge as false and unkind, unless 
beyond the limit of my acquaintance, sentiments are 
held and acted on, very difierent from any I know of. 
I desire, while God lends me breath, to do what — 
with my feeble powers I can do — to preserve unde- 
generate and in full force and virtue the true Wesley- 
an views of Christian doctrine, experience and prac- 
tice, and help propagate the same as extensively as 
may be among mankind. 

I know of no ecclesiastical political designs. If 
any persons have such designs they have not seen fit 
to entrust them to me. I have often been associated 
with those who I suppose are meant in the charges, 
to have such designs, and I cannot call to mind any 
expression looking in that direction. I think tlie 
one grand design of these earnest people, preachers 
and others, is to spread vital religion among man- 



Dli. ELLIOTT. 137 

Tiind — that is a real, not a diluted and powerless 
Christianity." 

Men of God from a distance,' seeing so much, 
published in the papers against us, came to 
suspect that the cry of '-fanaticism " was only 
a new form of the old opposition to vital god- 
liness, and many came among us to see and 
liear for themselves. Thus the venerable Dr. 
Elliott, author of ''Elliott on Romanism," 
though an entire stranger, came on purpose to 
see us and attend our meetings. He spent 
several days with us, in our f amUy, and gave the 
work his most hearty, public endorsement ; and 
helped it on by preaching and exhorting in the 
demonstration of the Spirit. 

Thus we have given the testimony of disin- 
terested men respecting what Bishop Simpson 
calls a "spirit of wild fanaticism.'' These 
men were intelligent ; most of them ministers, 
and some of them ministers of high standing 
in the M. E. Chui'ch. Which are to be be- 
lieved — these men — eye and ear-witnesses of 
what they wrote ; or Bishop Simpson' s trans- 
lation into respectable language of the false 
accusations of our bitterest enemies ? 



CHAPTER VII. 

CHUEOH TRIALS. 

The old method of settling religious disputes 
was, for the stronger party to burn the weaker 
at the stake, or throw him to the wild beasts. 
Persecution was one among the practices of 
heathenism which Constantine brought with 
him into the Christian church. 

Through the influence of Christianity, the 
spirit of persecution has been restrained to 
such manifestations, as slanderous reports, so- 
cial ostracism, and expulsion from the church. 
But the spirit is the same in all ages. 

The first of the partisan trials in the Gene- 
see Conference 'that took place, was that of the 
Rev. Joseph McCreery. He was a man of great 
originality, remarkable talents, and at that 
time deeply devoted to God. He was quiet in 
his manner in the pulpit, but we have seen, 
under his preaching, large congregations stirred 
to the highest pitch of excitement. He had a 
way of his own, of saying thiijgs, so that the 
people both understood and remembered them. 
Under his labors occured extensive and thorough 
revivals of religion. His father was a Metho- 
dist preacher ; Dr. Samuel Luckey was his un- 



RSV. JOSEPH MoCR'EBBY. 139 

cle, and he prided himself on his Methodist 
lineage. We never knew a more devoted 
adherent of the M. E. Church. His course re- 
minds us of an Irish girl, whom her Catholic 
mother had driven from home, because she had 
been among the Methodists, and become con- 
verted. 

The girl had found a place as servant in a 
pious family by which we were entertained, 
during a session of Conference. The mother 
came to the house one morning, and poured 
upon the poor girl such a torrent of abusive 
eloquence, as we never heard equaled. Be- 
coming intolerable, the gentleman of the house 
gently put her out. She then went to the gate, 
and hurled back anathemas and excecrations, 
until, overcome by her rage, she fell in a swoon. 
The daughter rushed out, bathe'd her temples, 
wept over her, and became almost frantic with 
grief. As we endeavored to console her, she 
said, with a depth of feeling seldom witnessed, 
'' She is my mother, let her do what she will." 

So Joseph McCreery said of the M. E. Church. 
When turned out on the most trivial accusa- 
tion, he joined again on probation. When he 
was dropped, because of the clamor raised by 
his enemies ; and the Free Methodist Church 
was organized by those with whom he had 
labored to promote Methodism, he refused 



140 WHY ANOTHER HECT. 

for five years to join, and when at last he did', 
unite, such were his yearnings for the old 
church, that he left the Conference in about 
two years, and went away to the frontier. 

In 1854-5, he was stationed on the Lyndon- 
ville circuit. The church was very much run 
down in spirituality, and he went to work in 
earnest for its recovery. He read and explain- 
ed to the society the General Rules. He said he 
did not wish to take advantage of the ignorance 
of any one, as some might not have known 
what they were doing when they joined theJVT. 
E. Churfch. He would therefore give those 
who did not wish to be governed by these rules, 
an opportunity to quietly vyithdraw. None 
left, but all pledged themselves to keep the 
rules. He broke up the choir — or as he ex- 
pressed it — "Drove out the doves who were 
billing and cooing in the gallery," and intro- 
duced congregational singing. He preached 
with fervor ; so , great was the interest, that 
even when the snow-banks were higher than 
the fences, the people came for miles to at- 
tend the meetings. A great revival took place. 

Dr. Chamberlain, a superannuated preacher,, 
had his residence on a farm in this circuit. 
He was a strong man, of a metaphysical turn 
of mind, cold temperament, and' undemonstra- 
tive in his manners. He was an advocate of the 



RBV. JOSEPH MoCREERY. 141 

' ' gradual ' ' tlieory of holiness. Encouraged by 
large appropriations I'rom the superannuated 
fund, he suffered himself to be made promi- 
nent by the dominant party in Genesee Confer- 
ence, in their open attacks upon those they 
called "Nazarites." His zeal was also quick- 
ened by the fact, that his wife, a noble woman, 
of strong mind, and deep, uniform piety, openly, 
avowedly, and very decidedly, identified 
herself with those who were proscribed, as 
"Nazarites," and afterwards expelled. 

During the year that the Rev. Mr. McCreery 
was on the circuit in which Dr. Chamberlain 
resided, the doctor wrote down a long list of 
the odd, characteristic expressions, which Mr 
McCreery had uttered in the pulpit. 

As a specimen of Mr. McCreery' s sayings, we 
give the following. In describing church festi- 
vals then in vogue, he said : "A whiskered and 
blanketed black-leg will come along, and pay 
his quarter for the privilege of fishing a rag- 
baby from a grab bag." 

In stating the opposition he met with in try- 
ing to bring the church back to its former 
simplicity and spirituality, he said : ' ' Some of 
the young&r boys have taken my mother, the 
Methodist Church, in her old age, painted her 
face and curled her hair, hooped her, and floun- 
ced her, and jeweled her, and fixed heriip, untU 



142 Wirr ANOTSER SECT. 

we could hardly tell her from a woman of the 
world. ]N"ow when I have taken the old lady, 
and washed her face, and straightened out her 
hair, and dressed her up in modest apparel, 
so that she looks like herself again, they make 
a great hue and cry, and call it abusing 
mother. " 

Dr. Chamberlain read to the following Con- 
ference, the sayings to which he objected, and 
arrested the character of the Rev. Joseph Mc- 
Creery. The latter read to the Conference, the 
' ' Nazarite Documents, ' ' and his character was 
passed, subject to an examination before his 
presiding elder, of any charges which might be 
preferred against him. The Rev. Loren StUes 
was his presiding elder, and when the charges 
were presented, he ordered the trial to be held 
at Lyndonville, where the alleged offences were 
committed, and where the witnesses lived, 
though it was outside of his district. At the 
opening of the trial, the prosecution objected 
to the ruling of the chairman, and refusing 
to go on, the trial was abruptly brought to a 
close. 

At the next Conference, at Medina, charges 
were brought against Loren Stiles for his ad- 
ministration in this case. 

They were prosecuted by Thomas Carlton, 
and James M. Fuller. At the request of broth- 



iSSRIOUS COMPLAINTS. 143 

er Stiles, we acted as his counsel, and Mr. 
Stiles was acquitted. 

The so-called "regency," up to this time 
had control of only two, out of the five presid- 
ing elderships, and as they had only about thirty 
preachers in their secret meetings, they could 
not control enough votes to seciire his convic- 
tion. They however, as we have stated, by 
threats made to the Bishop, succeeded in get- 
ting both Mr. Stiles, and Mr. Kingsley, removed 
from the presiding eldership, and men of their 
own appointed in there places. At their own 
request, Bros. Stiles and Kingsley were trans 
ferred to the Cincinnati Conference. The 
charges against Rev. J. McCreery were with- 
drawn, and resolutions reflecting upon him, 
adopted in place of a conviction. 

, Complaints of a serious character were made 
against three of the prominent preachers of, 
the so-called regency party of the Genesee 
Conference of the M. E. Church. 
One of these complaints was as follows : 

■ Enoch Pease, an old Methodist of Niagara 
County, had lent these preachers about one 
thousand dollars. They gave him for security, 
what they said was a first mortgage, duly re- 
corded, upon apiece of real estate which they 
claimed to own, at Lima, N". Y. He let the 
mortgage run till it was due. The parties 



144 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

f 

meanwhile, had failed. On the suit for fore- 
closure, it was shown that they had bought 
this property of Dr. T. They paid down only 
a nominal sum, and gave back a mortgage for 
the purchase money. At the time of the pur- 
chase, Mrs. T. was away from home. The 
deed and mortgage were both left with the 
lawyer who drew them up, until Mrs. T. could 
sign the deed, and then both deed and mort- 
gage were to be recorded together. While 
these papers thus laid in escrow, this mortgage 
was executed to Enoch Pease. He never got 
Ms money. These men might not have known 
which mortgage would hold — but they did 
know that they had given to one or the other 
of the parties with whom they were dealing, 
a worthless security. As soon as the com- 
plaints were brought before the Conference, 
one of the leading men of their party, I think 
it was T. Carlton, moved to lay the whole mat- 
ter on the table. It was seconded and carried, 
and there it still lies. 

With the guilt of the parties we have noth- 
ing to do ; but we do hold that the Conference 
which refused to investigate such complaints, 
made by such a man as Enoch Pease, — in such 
a manner — for we took his affidavit of the 
facts in the case, was gxtilty of coveeing up 

FKAUD ! 



COy-KRING FRAUD. 145 

Another case is as follows : The same firm, 
consisting of these three prominent preachers, 
again wished to borrow money. One of them 
took a note which the three had signed, to Gen- 
eseo to borrow five hundred dollars, of a brother 
White, a Methodist man, 'who kept a private 
bank there. Being strangers to him, he took 
the note to his pastor, tlie Rev. Jonathan 
Watts, of the East' Genesee Conference, and 
asked his advice. Mr. Watts told Mm that 
he siipposed the men whose names were on the 
note were honest, they were Methodist preach- 
ers in good standing, and ought to be, but he 
knew nothing of their financial responsibility. 
"But," said he, "the father-in-law of one of 
them, — Dr. B., I know to be a man of means ; 
if he indorses their note, it will be safe." Mr. 
White took the note back to this preacher, 
and told him if he would get Dr. B. to indorse it, 
he would himself endorse it and go to another 
bank and get the money for them, as he had no 
money on hand, and would like to accommo- 
date them. The preacher retiirned the next 
day with the note endorsed with the name of 
the Doctor. Mr. White endorsed it, and got 
them the money on it. The note when due 
was protested, and Brother White looked to 
his endorser, Dr. B. , for the pay ; but instead _ 
of him, the Doctor' s son, who was financially 



146 WHY ANOTHER ,SECT. 

ii-responsible, at their request had signed the 
note ! The note and costs amounted to six 
hundred dollars, and not a cent was ever paid 
to Brother AYhite. Soon after, he failed in 
business, and was reduced to want. He re- 
quested Mr. Watts to see one of these preach- 
ers, and ask him, as he was getting a good 
salary, as pastor of one of the leading church- 
es, to pay his proportion or a part of it, to 
relieve his pressing necessities. This, he 
utterly refused to do. ' Rev. Mr. Watts sent 
Brother "\^Tiite money at the time, to keep 
him and his family from starvation. 

We made 'complaint of this fraudulent trans- 
action, to the Conference, backed up by the 
statement of Rev. J. Watts, in substance as 
here given. The complaint was promptly laid 
"upon the table. 

Why did not the victims of such dishonesty 
prosecute these preachers in a criminal court % 
Enoch Pease was an old man, wealthy, and 
did not want the trouble of a prosecution, as 
he knew he could not get back his money. He 
was a devoted Methodist, and did not want the 
church disgraced. 

Mr. White got the preacher who negotiated 
the note with him indicted, and the preacher 
fled the state. He Joined a Conference west, 
and was, the last we knew of him, a regular 



COVERING FRAUD. 147 

preaclier in good standing, in the M. E. 
Church. 

At this same session, the Rev. L. Stiles 
stated to the Conference tliat he liad letters, 
written by men o£ good standing in the com- 
munity, two of them members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, calling in question the 
business integrity and honesty of a member of 
the Conference. He asked that a committee 
might be appointed, to whom these letters 
might be referred for such action as the com- 
mittee might deem proper. But the Confer- 
ence refused to appoint the co'/nmittee, or e-oen 
to hear the letters ! 

The so-called regency party now became 
desperate in their measures. The question 
between the two parties had, to some of the 
leaders of one of these parties, become a ques- 
tion of life and death. 

Their desperation increased when they found 
at the next Conference, that the Rev. Messrs. 
Stiles and Kingsley, in accordance with peti- 
itions signed by over fifteen hundred of the 
members, had been re-transferred to the Con- 
ference. 

They saw that something must be done to 
cripple our influence, or they were still in dan- 
ger of being called to accoimt for their mis- 
deeds. They hired a hall, and without ever 



148 WHY ANOTHER ISECT. 

being suspected, held secret meetings at night. 
They had now control of the presiding elders, 
and by letting the young, and the unaccepta- 
ble preachers understancp. that their appoint- 
ments depended upon which party in the 
Conference they identified themselves with, 
they succeeded in getting a majority of the 
Conference into these secret meetings. Then 
they voted, in this secret conclave, com- 
posed of the men who were to sit upon the 
jury, and whose votes were relied upon in ad- 
vance to secure conviction, to bring charges 
against B. T. Roberts and W. C. Kendall ! 

My article on "New School Methodism," 
had just been published, and the charges 
against me were based on that. 

I arose in Conference, and said: " I have no 
intention to misrepresent any one. I do not 
think I have. I honestly think that the men 
referred to, hold just the opinions I say they 
do. But if they do not, I shaU be glad to be 
corrected. If they will say they do not, I 
will take their word for it, make my humble 
confession, and, as far as possible, repair the 
wrong that I have done. I Avill publish in the 
Northern Independent, and in all the church 
papers they desire me to, from Maine to Cali- 
fornia, that I have misrepresented them." 

But no one said that I had misrepresented 



LAW OF LIBEL. 149 

them. They had been at great jDains to get 
their majority, and now they must nse it. As 
one of the preachers said, '■'■ Nazaritism must 
'be crushed out, and we have got the tools to do 
it with r 

. They went <jn with the trial. There was little 
to do, as I admitted that I wrote the article. 
In my defense I showed : 

1. That it is an undisputed principle of 
common law, that in all actions for libel, the 
precise language complained of as libelous, 
must be set forth in the indictment. 

" An indictment for libel must set forth the very 
words ; it is not sufficient to aver that the defendant 
published a certain libel, the substance of which is 
as follows." — Jirightley'% Digest, Vol. II, page 16S1. 

" In an action for libel, the law requires the very 
words of the libel to be set out, in order that the 
court may judge whether they constitute a good 
ground of action. — Sergent <& Mowlin^s Reports, Vol. 
X,page 17 Jf. 

2. That if you make a man responsible for 
the construction which his enemies put upon 
his words, you might condemn any man that 
ever wrote. I^ay, you could on that prin- 
ciple, condemn the Saviour himself. He said 
that " All that came before me were thieves 
and robbers." ISToah, Job and Daniel came 
before him. Therefore he slandered JSToah, 



150 



WHY ANOTHER SECT. 



Job and Daniel, by calling them thieves and 
robbers. In fact our Saviour was condemned 
for the construction which his enemies put 
upon his words. 

3. I showed that in all the important speci- 
fications they not only had not given my 
words ; but they had perverted my meaning. 
I claim the ability to say what I mean. That, 
the contrast between their charges and , my 
words may be the more easily seen, we give 
both in parallel columns : 



CUABOES AGAINST REV. a. T. 
BOBEB^S. 

I hereby charge Eev. B. T. Rob- 
erts with unchristian and immoral 
-conduct. 

let. In publishing in the " North- 
em Independent" that there exists 
in the Genesee Conference an asso- 
ciate body numbering about thirty, 
whose teaching is very different 
from that of the fathers of Method- 



WHAT HE DID SAT. 

1st. Already there is springing 
up among us a class of preachers 
whose teaching is very different 
from that of the fathers of Method- 
ism. They may be found here and 
there throughout our Zion ; but in 
the Genesee Conference they act as 
an associate body. They number 
about thirty. ' 



8d. In pnbllBhing as above that 8d. This difference is fundamen- 

tal. It does not relate to things 
indifferent, but to those of the 
most vital importance. It involves 
nothing less than the nature of 
Christianity itself. 



said members of Greuesee Confer- 
ence are opposed to what is funda- 
mental in Christianity — to the na- 
ture itself of CliriBtianity . 



3d. In classing them in the above- 
mentioned publication with Theo- 
dore Parker and Mr. Newman as 
regards laxness of religious senti- 
ment. 

4th. In charg^g them^ as above, 
with sneering at Christianity in a 
manner not nnworthy of Thomas 
Paine, and that falls below that of 
Voltaire. 



3d. The New School Methodists 
affect as great a degre of liberalism 
as do Theodore Parker and Mr. 
Newman. 

4th. The following sneer is not 
nnworthy of Thomas Paine himself. 
It falls below the dignity of Vol- 
taire. 



CHURCH TRIALS. 



151 



5th. In charging them, as above, 
' with being heterodox on the sub- 
ject of holiness. 



6th. In asserting that they ac- 
knowledge that their doctrines are 
not the doctrines of the church ; 
and that they have undertaken to 
correct the teacfeings of her stand- 
ard authors. 



5th. The New School Methodists 
hold that justification and entire 
sanctification, or ** holiness," are 
the same— that when a sinner is 
pardoned, he is at the same time 
made holy— that all the spiritual 
change he may henceforth expect is 
simply a growth in grace. When 
they speak of *' holiness," they 
mean by it the same as do evangel- 
ical miniatere of those denomina- 
tions which do not receive the doc- 
trines taught by Wesley and 
Fletcher on this subject. 

6th. The New School ministers 
have the frankness to acknowledge 
that their doctrines are not the doc- 
trines of the church. They have 
undertaken to correct the teachings 
of her standard authors. In the 
same editorial of " The Advocate," 
from, which we have quoted so 
largely, we read : " So in the exer- 
cises and means of grace instituted 
by the church, it is clearly apparent 
that respect is had, rather to the 
excitation of religious sensibilities 
and the culture of emotional piety, 
than the development of genial and 
humane dispositions, and the for- 
mation of habits of active, vigorous 
goodness." 



7th. In charging them as above, 
with attempting to abolish the 
means of grace— substituting the 
lodge for the class-meeting and 
love-feast, and the social party for 
the prayer-meeting. 



7th. The means of grace in the 
use of which an Asbury, an Olin, a 
Hedding, and a host of worthies 
departed and living, were nurtured 
to spiritual manhood, must be abol- 
ished ; and others adapted to the 
"development of genial and humane 
dispositions," established in their 
place. The lodge must supercede 
the class and the love-feast ; and 
the old fashioned prayer-meeting 
must give way to the social party. 



8th. In representing as above, the Sth. The leaders of the new Di- ' 



152 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

revivals among them as superficial, vinlty movement ave not remark- 
and characterizing them as " splen- able for promoting revivals; and 
did revivals." those which do occasionally occur 

among them may generally be char- 
acterized as the editor of " The 
Advocate " designated one which 
fell under his notice as " splendid 
revivals." Preachers ,of the old 
stamp urge upon all who would 
gain heaven, the necessity of self- 
denial — non-conformity to the 
world ; purity of heart, and holiness 
of life ; while the others ridicule 
singularity, encourage by their si- 
lence, and in some cases by their 
9th. In saying, as above, that o^n example, and that of their 
they treat with distrust all profess- wives and daughters, " the putting 
ions of deep religious experience. (,„ of gojji and costly apparel," and 

EEUBEN C. FOOTE. 9th, treat with distrust all profes- 
LeRoy, Sept. Ist, 1857. sions of deep religious experience. 



I explained to them so clearly that the' dull- 
est could not fail to see, 

1 . That men may ' ' act as an associate body , " 
who do not " exist as an associate body." It 
was true that they had a regularly oi-ganized 
"associate body," but I did not know it, or 
even suspect it, and so I did not say it. 

2. That men might have a difference about 
what is "fundamental," — about "the nature 
itself of Christianity," without any of them 
being "opposed to what is fundamental," or 
to the nature of Christianity. In point of 
fact, the Calvinists and the Arminians — the 
Unitarians and Trinitarians do so differ. 

3. That there is a wide difference between 



EXPLANATIONS. 15a 

"liberalism," "possessing- charity," and 
"looseness of religious sentiment." , 

4. That saying "the following sneer is not 
unworthy of Thomas Paine," is by no means 
equivalent to saying, ' ' They sneer at Cl;iristi- 
anity in a manner not unworthy of Thomas 
Paine." 

5. That in saying they mean by " holiness " 
th^ same as "evangelical ministers" of the 
other Protestant churches generally do, is by 
no means charging them with being ' ' hetero- 
dox on the subject of holiness." 

6. That the article from which I quote, fully 
sustains all I say upon the point involved in 
the sixth specification. 

7. That in showing that if certain views of 
religion prevailed, "the lodge must supercede 
the class and the love-feasts," I did not charge 
them with attempting to do it, but that this 
would be the logical result of the teachings 
that I was reviewing. 

8. That in calling their revivals "splendid 
revivals," I simply quoted from an editorial 
of their own organ. 

9. "^hat in saying they " treat with distrust 
all professions of deep, religious experience," 
I simply told what was notoriously true. I 
heard one of these preachers say, "When I 
hear a man profess holiness, I feel for my 



154 WHy ANOTHMR SECT. 

pocket-book." Another said, "If I should 
.find Jesse T. Peck's book on "The Central 
Idea of Christianity," in my house, I would 
take it with the tongs and throw it into the 
fire." 

Yet with the matter thus plainly before 
them, a majority of the Conference voted these 
specifications, (except the 4th, which was with- 
drawn) sustained. In doing that, every man 
of them voted as true what Tie Jcnew to be 
false. We can not come to any other 
possible conclvTsion. They were not igno- 
rant men who did not know what they 
were about. They were not acting hastily 
over a matter they did not understand. 
The case was fairly laid before them. TJiey 
deliberately voted that I wrote what they 
Jcnew I did not write. 

I was sentenced to be reproved by the chair. 
I received the reproof and appealed to the 
General Conference. 

When the appointments were read out I was 
sent to Pekin, Niagara County. It was 
about the only part of the Conference in 
which I was a total stranger. To my knowl- 
edge I had never seen a single person belong- 
ing to my new charge. 

Before I reached my appointment a prom- 
inent preacher of the opposite party had taken 



PMKIN CIRCUIT. loij 

pains to inform them that their preacher had 
been convicted at the Conference of "immoral 
and unchristian conduct." This was also pub- 
lished without explanation, in the Buffalo- 
Advocate. Of course the people were hardly 
willing to receive us. We doubt if any itiner- 
ant ever had a colder reception. Even Father 
Chesbrough, one of the noblest of men, and 
staunchest and most loyal of Methodists, ■ at 
first thought he would not even go to hear me 
preach. "What have we done," he exclaimed, 
' ' that a man convicted of immoral conduct 
should be sent as our preacher 1" When the 
first Sabbath morning that we preached there 
came, as he always attended church, he con- 
cluded to go, saying, ' ' It can do no hurt to 
hear him once, any way." Ee turning from 
church, his son said he rode in silence over a 
mile and then said, "Well, Sam, I know noth- 
ing about the man, but I do know that what 
we have heard to-day is Methodism as I used 
to hear it in the old Baltimore Conference, and 
as I have not heard it preached in western. 
New York." 

Soon, a powerful revival of religion broke 
out, which, notwithstanding the marked in- 
difference of the presiding elder and the open 
opposition of two or three of the official mem- 
bers, swept on with increasing power through- 



156 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

out the year. One of the stewards, dissatisfied 
because the young people were getting con- 
verted so thoroughly as to lay aside their 
jewelry and their finery, while we were hold- 
ing revival meetings in the church, started 
prayer-meetings in his house across the street. 
We paid no attention to them and they soon 
died a natural death. 

Though the district camp-meeting was held 
but three miles from us, the presiding elder 
never mentioned the subject to us. But we 
attended, and, much to his dismay, had one 
of the largest tents on the ground. For three 
days he did not once open the way for testi- 
mony in any public meetings before the stand, 
doubtless for fear that some of the Pekin pil- 
grims would tell what God had done for their 
souls. At last a sister, free in Jesus, broke 
through, and the tide of salvation began to 
run. In the intervals of meetings at the stand 
we kept them going in our tent, and many 
were there converted and many sanctified to 
God. Of the work on the circuit this year, a 
beloved brother wrote for the NortTiern Inde- 
pendent as follows : 

"It can not be denied that we received to our 
churcli as our pastor, a man wliom The Advocate 
inf ornjed us was tried and found guilty of ' immoral- 
ity;' and judging from the articles which have 



PEKIN CIRCUIT. 157 

appeared from time to time in that paper, it would 
seem, that his opposers think ' if we let him. alone, all 
men will believe on him;' and the only way to destroy 
his usefulness is to pursue him with ' slanders ' and 
'persecutions.' A recent article in The Advocate, 
"which descends- to language unbecoming one Chris- 
tian speaking of another, is hardly worth noticing, as 
the shafts hurled at Brother Roberts fall far below 
him. The statement, however, that he was not returned 
to Niagara Street Church on account of his unfitness, 
Tvill do well enough among those who have never 
lieard from Brother Thomas all the facts in the case, 
which, thank God, there are many who understand 
as fully as the editor of The Advocate, and who dare 
to tell the whole truth when called upon. 

In view, then, of all these things, the grand ques- 
tion to be answered is this: Has the church pros- 
pered under his labors, and has God honored his 
labors by bestowing his blessing upon them ? We 
feel glad to say thatthe church, has prospered, through 
the blessing of God, during the year. And all the 
honor and glory we lay at the feet of Jesus, for with- 
out him his children can do nothing. 

Though we have not been favored during the year 
with the ' able, impressive and appropriate prayers,' 
that some of the other churches have been, we feel 
thankful that we have had 'the effectual, fervent 
prayers of the righteous man, which availeth much.' 
Notwithstanding the many reports which have circu- 
lated to the contrary, God has been at work among 
the people. Between fifty and sixty have professed 
conversion; about forty of whom have joined on 
probation. The preaching has been plain, simple 



158 WRY ANOTHER SECT. 

and pointed, and in accordance with the doctrines 
and discipline of the Church. The consequence has 
heen, very many of the members of the Church 
have been seen at the altar of prayer, some for justi- 
fication, some for sanctification. Quite a number 
have publicly professed to have received the blel^sing 
of sanctification. Without an exception, every aged 
member in our Church has rejoiced to see the return 
of the days of Wesleyan Methodism, with its un- 
compromising and earnest spirit. 

When Brother R. came among us, our Sunday 
noon class numbered about fifteen ; now the average at- 
tendance is, and has been for some time, from seventy- 
five to eighty. Our prayer-meetings and week evening 
class meetings, and they occur every night in the 
week at various points on the charge, have been bet- 
ter sustained through ' haying and harvesting,' and 
have been more interesting than for years past. The 
Sunday School has also reached a point in attendance 
and interest never before attained in its history. 
There are scores in the Church to-day, who feel to 
thank God for having sent him among us. 

S. K. J, Chesbrough. 

South Pbkix, Sept. 24, 1858." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

TWO EXPULSIONS. 

Bishop Simpson says in his article on ' ' The 
Free Methodists," "In 1858, two of the lead- 
ers were expelled from the Conference." 

Of one of the two men referred to, this is 
a mistake. Joseph McCreery, though promi- 
nent in the holiness movement in the Genesee 
Conference of the M. B. Church, was never 
a leader in the Free Methodist Church. He 
was opposed to the organization. With re- 
gard to the penalty, the statement is only half 
true. The men referred to were expelled, not 
only "from tile Conference," but also "from 
the Church." Why did not Bishop Simpson 
tell the whole truth ? Was he unwilling to have 
it appear that the laws of the M. E. Church, 
as then administered, were like the laws of 
Draco, and punished the slightest offense, or 
even no offense, with death ? Or, worse still, 
like the edicts of Nero, which tortured men 
for being Christians ? 

What heinous offense had been committed, 
that the highest penalty known to ecclesiasti- 
cal law was thus iniiicted ? 

At the close of the Le Roy Conference, the 



160 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

victorious party published far and wide that 
Brother Roberts had been convicted of ' ' im- 
moral conduct." They left it in this vague 
manner, intending to convey the impression 
that he had done something very bad. 

(George W. Estes was at that time a promi- 
nenc member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, on the Clarkson circuit. He was a 
man of intelligence, and of influence in the 
community in which he resided. He had been 
an efficient worker in the revival meetings 
which we held at Brockport, and was alive 
in religion. With many others, Mr. Estes felt 
that a great wrong had been done by the Con- 
ference, and by the vague, insinuating reports 
published of the offense for which B. T. Eob 
erts had been convicted. 

Mr. Estes, without my Icnowledge even, pub- 
lished over his own name, and at his own 
expense, in pamphlet form, my article on 
"New School Methodism," and a short ac- 
count of my trial. We give Mr. Estes article 
entire, omitting the charges on which we were 
tried by the Le Roy Conference, and which 
may be found in this book, beginning on the 
150th page. 

"to whom it mat conceett. 

The foregoing *article in t'heN'orthern Independent 

* Referring to " New School Methodism," page 85. 



THn EISTES PAMPHLET. 161 

was made tlie subject of general consultations in pri- 
vate caucuses of the Buffalo Regency, held in a room 
over Bryant & Clark's book store, at Le Roy, on 
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings of the first 
week of the Conference; the result of which was the 
Bill of Charges given below. The manner of com- 
mitting the feebler of the preachers to the condem- 
nation of Brother Roberts in advance, was on this 
wise, as related by one present. One of the chiefs 
of the Regency, acting as chairman, asked: ' What 
shall be done in the case of Brother Roberts ? All 
in favqr of his prosecution raise your hands!' The 
' immortal thirty ' raised their hands, and a few pre- 
sidmg eldsrlings. The chairman then delivered a 
flaming exhortation to unanimity — that they must be 
united enough to carry the matter through, or it 
would not do to undertake it. After sundry exhor- 
tations, the vote was taken again, and a few more 
voted. After another season of fervent exhortation, 
a third vote was taken, in which all, save one, con- 
curred; and the trial and condemnation were deter- 
mined upon. Beautiful work this for godly, Methodist 
preaciiers, deriving their support from honest, relig- 
ious societies among us ! We put their Bill of 
Charges, with all its ingenious distortion of facts, on 
record here before the people as follows: (See page 
150.) 

For several years past there has been the annual 
sacrifice of a human victim at the Conference. It 
has been a custom. The religious rites and ceremo- 
nies attending this annual lustration assume a legal 
complexion. The victim is immolated according to 
law. E. Thomas, J. McCreery, I. C. Kingsley, L. 



162 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

Stiles and B. T. Roberts constitute the ' noble band 
of martyrs ' thus far. Who is selected for the next 
annual victim is not yet known. The midnight con- 
clave of the ' immortal thirty ' has not yet made its 
selection. N'o man is safe who dares even whisper a 
word against this secret Inquisition in our midst. — 
Common crime can command its indulgences — bank- 
ruptcies and adulteries are venal offences — but oppo- 
sition to its schemes and policies is a ' mortal sin ' — a 
crime ' without benefit of clergy.' The same fifty 
men who voted Brother Roberts guilty of ' unchris- 
tian and immoral conduct ' for writing the above 
article, voted to readmit a Brother from the regions 
round about Buffalo, for the service performed of 
kissing a young lady in the vestibule of the Confer- 
ence room during the progress of Brother Roberts' 
trial. ' Nero fiddled while the martyrs burned.' 

Brother Roberts' trial — if it deserves the name of 
trial — was marked by gross iniquity of proceedings. 
There are no regular Church canons in the M. E. 
Church to govern the specific manner of conducting 
trials. All is indefinite. A glorious incertitude and 
independence of all legal regulations prevail. The 
presidential discretion must of necessity have large 
latitude and range, either high or low, as prejudice 
or policy may incline. Thus, when a witness was 
asked if he knew of a private meeting of about 
thirty preachers at Medina during Conference; he 
answered 'Yes.' When asked for what purpose they 
met, he answered for ' consultation.' Here the prose- 
cution perceiving that all this secret caucusing at the 
Medina Conference to lock out the prayer meetings, 
arrange the appointments, oust out presiding elders, 



TH^ JESTJSS PAMPHLET. 163 

«tc., etc., were likely to be brouglit out, objected to 
all the questions in the case which were not exactly 
covered by the verbal terms of the specifications 
which they themselves had artfully framed. And 
their objections were sustained by the Bishop. Every 
question as to the meetings of the ' immortal thirty ' 
— their doinga and teachings — were objected to and 
ruled out as irrelevant to the specifications. 

Having been charged for affirming the existence of 
an associate body of about thirty preachers in the 
Conference for purposes indicated in his article, he 
was denied to elicit the facts in justification, which 
he could have proved by thirty witnesses. This right, 
which any civil or military court would have allowed 
him, was denied. Of course, where witnesses refuse 
to testify, and the judge refuses to compel them to 
do so, there was no use wasting time in defense. 
Brother Roberts refused to continue the defense. 

Also a commission to take testimony was sent to 
Bufllalo. But when they arrived they found an emis- 
sary from the Conference had been sent on before 
them to take charge of the Advocate oftice, who 
i'efused to sell or lend, or suffer to be transcribed, 
any of the copy of the papers or articles bearing on 
the case, and who put everybody ' on the square ' to 
refuse testimony. Having no power to compel wit- 
nesses to testify, the Committee returned with such 
testimony only, as honest men voluntarily offered; 
which will be hereafter published. 

A venerable Doctor of Divinity read the ' auto-da- 
fe ' sermon, (i^repared for the victim of the previous 
year) wherein he consigned, in true inquisitorial 
style. Brother Roberts, body and soul, to hell. This 



164 WHY A2f OTHER isECT. 

was done in his most masterly manner, evincing no 
embarrassing amount of idiosyneracy or other men- 
tal cause for superannuation. This venerable D. D., 
though nominally superannuated, and an annual claim- 
ant of high rate upon the Conference f und^, is never- 
theless quite efficient in embarrassing efPective preach- 
ers in their work, by concocting ' bills of information' 
and 'bills of charges;' and pleading them to hell for the 
crime of preaching and writing the truth. Whether 
his plea will enhance the amount of the superannua- 
ted collections for the coming year remains to be 
seen. 

It was moved that the vote in Brother Robert's 
case should be taken by the yeas and nays ; 
but the same spirit of concealment and dread 
of light, fostered by secret society associations, pre- 
vailed here also. Like some in the olden time, they 
" feared the people," and voted down the motion. 
The vote to sustain the charge of " unchristian and 
immoral conduct," for writing and publishing these 
strictures on New School Methodism, via,s fifty-two to 
forty-three; being a majority of nine. Several mem- 
bers of Conference were absent, and several dodged 
through fear of the presiding elder influence upon 
their appointments. 

The following preachers, as near as can be ascer- 
tained, voted to sustain the charge : I.Chamberlayne, 
G. Lanning, E. C. Sanborn, H. May, D. Nichols, M. 
Seager, R. C. Foote, G. Fillmore, A. D. Wilbor, 
P. Wood worth, R. L. Waite, H. Butlin, S. M. Hop- 
kins, E. E. Chambers, G. W. Terry, J. Latham, H. 
W. Annis, Z. Hurd, T. Carlton, J. M. Fuller, W. H. 
Depuy, D. F. Parsons, S. Hunt, J. B. Lanekton, J. 



THE E8TE8 PAMPHLET. 165 

McEwen, H. R. Smith, S. C. Smith, G. Smith, L. 
Packard, C. S. Baker, W. S. Tuttle, J. McClelland, 
J. G. Miller, J. N". Simpkin, S. Y. Hammond, A. P. 
Ripley, H. M. Ripley, M. W. Ripley, E. L. Newman, 
4.. Plumley, B. F. McNeil, R. S. Moran, E. M. Buck, 
J. J. Roberts, S. Parker, F. W. Conable, J. B. Went- 
worth, S. H. Baker, J. Timmerman, K. D. Nettleton, 
G. Delamater, W. C. Willing. 

Another significant fact was apparent in the case ; 
the power of the presiding eldership. Quite a number 
of preachers would not vote at all. Too honest to 
aid the conspiracy, and too cowardly to face the 
" loaves and fishes " argument presented by the pr's- 
siding elder influence, they sat still and saw the 
condemnation of the innocent, when they might 
have prevented it. 

The influence of the Book Concern had its effect 
upon the case. It has become a maxim in politics 
"that the debtor votes the creditor's ticket." So 
some indebted to the Concern discreetly refrained 
from voting at all ; while two preachers, having re- 
fused to attend the private caucuses of the conspira- 
tors, and to pledge themselves in advance to vote for 
the condemnation of Brother Roberts, were scandal- 
ized with a public report of delinquency, in open 
Conference, by the Book Agent. 

But it was the influence of the slavery question 
which was paramount in the case. The episcopacy 
is understood to be conservative on that subject, arid 
"to refer to it judiciously in all the chief appoint- 
ments." Hence the Buffalo regency in these days 
(notwithstanding high professions lately to the con- 
trary, on the eve of election of delegates to the late 



166 WHY ANOTHER SECT. - 

General Conterence) is also eminently conservative 
on that subject ; and must needs commend itself to 
the central episcopal sympathy by great zeal against 
the Northern Independent. Its associate editor in 
this Conference must be black-washed in revenge for 
the temerity of the people in subscribing for the 
paper. They could not wreak their vengeance on 
the people, except by proscribing one acknowledged, 
above all others in the Conference, to be the people's 

MAX. 

The infamous Brockport Resolutions against the 
Nazarites, were tacitly endorsed by the Conference 
in its refusal to entertain the question of official 
administration involved in their passage. This is 
their reward for their spaniel loyalty to the Northern 
Advocate, and every other thing that wears the label 
of " law and order," affixed by a pro-slavery adminis- 
tration. It is stated that two or three Nazarites 
voted with the Regency against the publication of 
the slavery report in tlie Independent. Surely it 
must be true of them, as reported, that they court 
persecutions and rejoice in being killed off at every 
Conference. Their strong hold upon the popular 
mind can not long survive their further blinking the 
slavery issue. We shall see. 

So, brethren in the membership of the Genesee 
Conference, you see we have a clique among us called 
the Buffalo Regency — conspiring and acting in secret 
conclave to kidnap or drive away, or proscribe and 
destroy, by sham trials, and starvation appointments, 
every one who has boldness to question their suprem- 
acy in the Conference. By threats of insubordination, 
and farcical outcries of strife and division, they 



THE B^TE8 PAMPHLET. 167 

frighten the episcopacy to give them the presiding- 
eldership power, with its patronage of appointments, 
and having that, of course they command the Con- 
ference vote, so far as they dare for fear of the people. 
We are fast losing our best men. The fearless cham- 
pions of true Methodism are being cloven down, one 
after another, in our sight ; and we sit loyally still, 
and weep and pray, and pay our money, yet another 
and another year, hoping the thing will come to an 
€nd. 

A thousand of us asked the Bishop to rid us of 
this incubus, which is crushing us into the earth. 
" We will do the best we can," is the stereotyped 
reply to our loyal entreaties. How many more vic- 
tims must be immolated, how many societies must be 
desolated, while the episcopacy is making up its mind 
to grapple with this monster power, which is writh- 
ing its slimy folds around the church of God, and 
crushing out its life ? The episcopacy, which alone 
has the power, having failed to redress our griev- 
ances and rid us of this unmethodistic and foreign 
dynasty, there is no remedy but an appeal to personal 
rights. The remedy of every member is within his 
own reach. For one, I shall apply that remedy. For 
me, while looking on those preachers standing to be 
counted, (no wonder they objected to the yeas and 
nays) in the vote to condemn Brother Roberts, at 
LeRoy, I made up my mind that not one of them — 
preacher, presiding elder or superannuated — should 
ever receive a cent of my money, on any pretense or' 
by any combination whatsoever. I shall punctually 
attend church at my own meeting house — prayer 
meetings, class-meetings, love-feat!ts, and all the 



168 WHY ANOTHER tiECT. 

means of grace ; but if one of those men come there 
to preach — I can't help that— that is not my 
business. But I shall neither run a step, nor pay a 
cent. And if, as has been told, all the domestic 
missionary appropriations in this Conference are 
varied from year to year — made and withheld to suit 
the pockets of Regency men appointed to them 
— this, as long as it continues, will absolve me from 
obligations to that cause. The same of the superan- 
nuated fund, so long as it is controlled by that dy- 
nasty. I agreed to support the M. E. Church as a 
church of the living God ; not as the mere adjunct of 
a secular or political clique. Geo. W. Estes." 

I never saw^ this article until some time after 
it was published, and was in no wise responsi- 
ble for its publication. But Mr. Estes — a man 
of means, an extorter in the M. E. Church, 
was responsible, and like a man, he assumed 
the responsibility. -At the last quarterly- 
conference in the year, the question of the 
renewal of his license came up. The presiding 
elder asked George W. Estes if he was the 
author of that pamphlet ? He replied that he 
was. Without a word of objection, the pre- 
siding elder renewed his license as an ex- 
horter, and soon after went to Conference, and 
voted ta expel me from the Conference and the 
Church, on the charge of publishing this very 
pamphlet. The following charge was pre- 
ferred against me : 



CHARaMS. 169 

Charges.— I hereby charge Benjamin T. Roberts ■with unchristian and 
immoral conduct. 

SPECIFICATIONS. 

First, Contumacy : In disregarding the admonitiou of this Conference, 
in its decision upon hia case at its last seasiou. 

Second, In re-pablishin?, or assistiug in the re-publishing and circula- 
tion of a document, entitled *' New School .Methodism," the original pub- 
lication of which had been pronounced by this Conferenee '* unchristian 
and immoral conduct." 

Third, In publishing, or assisting in the publication and circulation of a.^ 
document, printed in Brockport, and signed, " George W. Esces," and ap' 
pended to the one entitled " New School Methodism," and containing 
among other libels upon this Conference generally, and upon some of its 
members particularly, the following, to wit : 

1. " For several years past there has been the annual sacrifice of a human 
victim, at the Conference." 

2. " No man is safe who dare even whisper a word against this secret in- 
quisition in our midst." 

3. " Common crime can command its indulgences ; bankruptcies and 
adulteries are venial offences ; but opposition to its schemes and policies 
is a mortal sin— a crime without benefit of clergy." 

4. That" the same fifty men who voted Bro. Koberts guilty of unchris- 
tian and immoral conduct, voted to re-admit a brother for the service per- 
formed of kissing a young lady." 

5. That " Bro. Roberts trial was marked by gross iniquity of proceed- 
ings." 

6. That " on the trial, a right which any civil or military court would 
have allowed him, was denied." 

7. That " a venerable doctor of Divinity read the "Autodafe" sermon, 
wherein he consigned in true In(Jui8itorial style Bro. Roberts body and 
soul to hell." 

8. That " this venerable 'D. D.' is quite efficient in embarrassing efi'ec- 
tive pretchers in their work and pleading them to hell for the crime of 
preacbing and writing the truth." 

9. That " there is a clique among us called the Buffalo Regency, con- 
spiring and acting in secret conclave, to kidnap, or drive away, or proscribe 
and destroy, by sham trials and starvation appointments ; every one who 
has the boldness to question their supremacy in the Conference. " 

10. That " the fearless chaniijions of Methodism are being cloven down 
one after another in our sight." 

"11. That "the aforesaid members of this Conference are a 'monster 
power,' which is writhing its slimy folds around the Church of God and 
crushing out its life." Signed, DAVID NICHOLS. 

Perry, Oct. 11th, 1858. 

Rev. Thomas Carlton and Rev. James M, 
Fuller acted as counsel against me. 



170 WHY AKOTHEB SECT. 

From the threats which had been made, T 
was satisfied they would seek occasion against 
me. As a specimen of these threats, I give 
the following from Rev. S. C. Church, an old 
presiding elder, and one of those noble-minded 
masons who felt indignant that masonry should 
be used to control the affairs of a Conference 
of ministers. Brother Church wrote : 

"During the last session of our Conference, at 
LeRoy, I was conversing with Rev. H. R3-ati Smith, 
about the remark made by Rev. B. T. Roberts on the 
floor of the Conference, to the effect that the Com- 
mittee on Education was packed. 

Smith said, " One more such statement will blot 
Roberts out." 

In the same conversation, he said, " You had better 
take yourself out of the way, or you will be crushed." 
Caktville, Oct. 20, 1851. Samuel C. Chubch. 

To meet the coming storm, I requested E,ev. 
B. I. Ives, of the Oneida Conference, to act as 
my counsel ; and he was present for that pur- 
pose. But the Bishop positively refused to 
allow it. 

As a majority of the Conference claimed to 
be slandered, in their individual character, and 
as I knew by this time that they had virtually 
voted, in their secret meetings, to condemn 
me, I asked that the trial might be had before 
another Conference. I quoted to them the 
wise provision of the civil law : 



CHAN&E OF VBNUS REFimED. 171 

" The venue may be changed to another county 
when the defendant conceives that he cannot have 
a fair and impartial trial in the county where the 
venue is laid." 

I showed them that not one man of the 
majority would be permitted, under similar 
circumstances, to sit on a jury in a civil court, 
if twenty-five cents only were at issue. I 
quoted : 

" If the law says a man shall be a judge in his own 
cause, such law being contrary to natural equity, 
shall be void, for jura naturae sunt immutabilia; 
they are leges legum-. Natural rights are immutable. 
They are the laws of laws." — Hobarffs Beport, page 
87, Dq,y vs. Savage. 

I felt that, in a case where my reputation 
and my standing as a Christian minister — 
things dearer than life — were at stake, I was 
entitled to a fair trial. 

This request was also refused. 

As a last resort to obtain anything like a fair 
trial, I urged that a committee might be ap- 
pointed to try the case, as provided for in the 
Discipline. I told them I would prefer to have 
it tried by a committee so small that its mem- 
bers would feel a personal responsibility for 
their action, even if the committee were com- 
posed of those who were most strongly 
committed against me, than to have it go be- 



172 WHY AXOTKER SECT. 

fore tlie wliole Conference, where tliey conld 
Mde behind one another. 

Tliis request was also refused. 

All this, we know, sounds more like the pro- 
ceedings of the English ' ' High Commission ' ' 
in the days of James the Second, and Charles 
the First, than like the doings of a Conference of 
Christian ministers, presided over by a godly 
Bishop, in the nineteenth centnry. Macaulay 
says of those commissioners,, who covered 
themselves with infamy, and sent many a godly 
minister to beggary or to prison : ' ' They were 
themselves at once prosecutors and Judges." 

But the facts that we here relate have never 
been called in question. 

Under these circumstances, the trial pro- 
ceeded. ]My friend, Loien Stiles, assisted me 
most heartily, and made an eloquent plea in 
my defense. 

The prosecution did not make the slightest 
effort to prone that the Estes pamphlet %oas 
slanderous, or that its statements were untrue. 
To dothis was a task from which they shrunk. 
It was easier to take it for granted. So at the 
outset it was assumed that the pamphlet, the 
avowed author of which was still an official 
member of the M. E. Church, was so wicked 
in its character, that to aid in its circulation 
was a mortal offense. 



TESTIMONY. ■ 173 

The prosecution secured the attendance of 
the printer who issued the Estes pamphlet, 
though he had to go about seventy miles across, 
the country to get to and from the Conference. 
But when they found he would tell the truth 
in the matter — that B. T. Roberts had noth- 
ing to do with publishing the document in 
question— they did not call upon him to 
testify. 

All the testimony that was given to prove 
the charge and the three principal specifica- 
tions, was by Rev. John Bowman — and this 
testimony was impeached. It was also, in the 
essential point of assisting in the publication 
of the pamphlet, contradicted by Geo.W. Estes. 
John Bowman testified as follows : 

" I have seen this document entitled, ' New School 
Methodism,' and 'To whom it may concern,' signed 
' Geo. W. Estes,' before. I first saw it on the cars 
between Medina and Lookport. Brother Roberts 
presented it to me ; several were presented in a 
package ; there were, I think, three dozen. Brother 
Roberts desired me to leave a portion of them at 
Medina, conditionally. He requested me to circulate 
them ; he desired me to leave a portion of them with 
Brother Codd, or Brother Williams of Medina, pro- 
vided I fell in company with them. I put a question 
to him whether they were to be distributed gratui- 
tously or sold. He said he would like to get enough 
to defray the expense of printing, but circulate them 
any how ; he desired me not to make it known that 



174 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

he had any agency in the matter of circulating the 
document, if I could consistently keep it to myself. 
I do not know where Brother Roberts got on the 
cars. My impression is, we were traveling east. I 
do not know as anything more was said about the pay- 
ment of printing them ; my recollection is not very 
distinct; he mentioned he had been at some consid- 
erable expense." 

On the contrary, I proved from George W. 
Estes, that I had nothing whatever to do with 
its publication. 

Mr. Estes testified as follows : 

" Brother Roberts had nothing to do with publish- 
ing, or assisting in publishing the document under 
consideration, to my knowledge, and I presume to 
know. He had nothing to do with the writing of 
the part that bears my name ; I do not know that he 
had any knowledge that its publication was intended; 
he never gave his consent that the part entitled 
" New School Methodism," should be republished by 
me, or any one else, to my knowledge ; he was never 
responsible for the publication, either in whole or in 
part ; he never contributed anything to the payment 
of its publication, to my knowledge ; I intended that 
so far as sold, it should go to defray the expenses of 
publication ; I never sold him any." 

Cross-examination : 

" I never forwarded, or caused to be forwarded, 
any of them to Brother Roberts; I never gave him 
any personally ; I do not know of any one giving or 
forwarding him any. I never gave orders to any 



TESTIMONY. 175 

■one to forward Brother Roberts any, to my knowl- 
edge." 

In regard to circulation I offered the follow- 
ing testimony: 

Rev. Russell Wilcox called : 

" I am a local deacon of the M. E. Church in 
Pekin. I am intimately acquainted with Brother 
Roberts, the pastor of the church in Pekin. I do 
not know that he has ever circulated this pamphlet 
anywhere ; I first saw it after I left home, on my 
way to this Conference." 

Rev. J. P. Kent called : 

" I did ask the defendant for one of these pamph- 
lets; I wished to see one of them, and I asked 
Brother Roberts if he could let me have one ; he 
•said he did not circulate them, but he had no objec- 
tion to my seeing the one he had. This was a few 
weeks ago, at the Holley or Albion grove meeting ; 
perhaps it was about the first of August." 

This is all the testimony that was offered to 
prove the specifications — the testimony of one 
man, and this testimony was impeached by sev- 
eral members of the Conference. — Even John 
Bowman says his recollection was not very, 
distinct. No wonder. But George Estes was 
very clear in his recollection, and very distinct 
in his statements. 

The fact is, I had nothing to do with the 
publishing of the pamphlet and took but lit- 
tle interest in it. I was busj^ with other work. 



176 WIfr ANOTHER sECT. 

We ask in the name of candor, ought this 
testimony — thus contradicted, to have con- 
victed any man ''. Did any honorable Court 
ever give a verdict of condemnation on so 
slight an apology for a shadow of evidence ? 
Many of the Conferenc^> appeared to care 
nothing for the testimony. Some were out 
gathering chestnuts, and having a good time 
generally, while testimony was being taken, 
but came back in time to vote the charge and 
specifications sustained ! 

Desiring to have light thrown on many of 
the points raised in the Estes pamphlet, I 
examined a large number of witnesses on 
these points. Thus we proved that the^ held 
secret meetings ; and other matters, to some 
of which we have already referred, were 
brought to light. 

The pleadings were finished at an early 
hour in the evening. Such was the impression 
made that the leaders of the opposition did 
not dare to take the vote that evening. They 
feared that they could hot secure a conviction ; 
so they adjourned — held their secret meeting — 
and worked their courage up to the point 
where they could come into Conference the 
next morning and vote the specifications, and 
the charge sustained. They then voted ex- 
pulsion from the Conference and the church ! 



' ' UTLINE HISTOR F. " 177 

As a sort of justification, some have alleged 
that I was expelled because I tried to prove 
the allegations made by Estes, true. But that 
only shows the injustice of the majority of the 
Conference in a still stronger light. What ! 
Condemn a man for a crime of which he was not 
even accused ! Speaking of the trial of Rev. 
B. T. Roberts in 1857 and 1858, the Rev. C. D. 
Burlingham says : 

" It is a notorious fact that those verdicts are not 
based on testimony proving criminal acts or words. 
Several who voted with, and others who sympathize 
with the 'majority,' have said, 'Well, if the charges 
were not sustained by sufficient proof, the Confer- 
ence served them right, for they are great agitators 
and promoters of disorder and fanaticism.' 

There you have it. Men tried for one thing and 
condemned for another! What iniquitous jurisprti- 
dence will not such a principle cover ? 

Why not try them for promoting disorder and 
fanaticism ? Because the failure of such an effort to 
convict would have been the certain result."* ' 

In looking back upon the action of the Con- 
ference, I can account for it only on the theory 
that, the leaders of the so called Regency 
party did not feel safe as long as we remained 
in the Conference. 

Personally, I had no reason to suppose that 
I was unpopular. I was on good terms 

*" Outline History," paije 40, Sec. 21. 



178 WHY ANOTHBR HECT. 

socially with all the preachers. My appoint- 
ments had always been all that I could have 
desired. Twice during my last trial they gave 
me such tokens of respect as I have never 
heard of being paid by a court to a man, while 
they were trying him for a criminal offense. 
Once during the progress of my trial, they 
.adjourned it over a day to hold a funeral ser- 
vice in honor of E,ev. William C. Kendall, 
who had died during the year. By a unani- 
mous vote of the Conference, which Spontane- 
ously saw the fitness of the selection, I was 
appointed to preach the funeral sermon to the 
Conference, which I did, with two Bishops 
sitting by my side. 

At another time during the trial, the anni- 
versary of the American Bible Society was 
held, and by another unanimous vote, I was 
appointed to preside at this public meeting ! 
'\Vas this in imitation of the old idolaters 
who first crowned with garlands the victims 
they were about to sacrifice ; or, was it rather 
the natural homage which men often instinc- 
tively pay to those whom they know to lie 
right, even while they persecute them ? 

Against Rev. Joseph McCreery charges and 
specifications were preferred essentially the 
sam.e as those against Rev. B. T. Roberts. 
They were signed by H. Ryan Smith. 



TRIAL OF J. McCREERY. 179 

We copy the following from Mr. McCreery' s 
account of his trial : 

" Died Abner as a fool dieth."— 8 Sam. iii, 33. 

Rev. J. G. Miller was appointed to assist in con- 
ducting the prosecution. 

The defendant declined any counsel. He had not 
been summoned to his real trial which had been go- 
ing on in secret for several nights past in the Odd 
Fellows Hall, in Perry, and did not think it worth 
while to trouble anyone to act as counsel in a judicial 
farce. 

The prosecutor said they had concluded not to 
traverse the items of the Bill of Charges ; which 
had occupied so much time in the preceding trial. 
' We will limit the case to the two main points of the 
FuUication and the Ciraulation.'' 

The defendant replied they might omit the whole, 
if they chose — or any part they pleased. He was 
not at all particular about the matter. It would 
save time to forego the trial and vote the verdict at 
once. I appeal to the General Conference. The 
Bishop remarked that the notice of appeal was pre- 
mature. 

Revs. C. P. Clark and W. Seism testified that 
defendant had circulated the Estes pamphlet. The 
prosecution here introduced as testimony, a card 
about three inches by two ; of rather dingy appear- 
ance, and seriously nibbled at one corner; and 
marked on one side with certain ominous and cab- 
alistic letters and figures. * * 

The card was grabbed up by S. M. Hopkins,as stated 
in his testimony, and carefully kept unto the day of 
doom. The defendant had traveled the Parma cir- 



180 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

cuit, one of the best and most Methodistic in the 
CoDference, for the two years previous, and Hop- 
kins had been sent on by the Buffalo Regency, to 
watch Brother Abel, and pick up something that 
might be used in this conspiracy against the defend- 
ant. For this service, his masters voted him sixty 
dollars out of the Conference funds ; under the pre- 
tense that this faithful discharge of duty had lessened 
his receipts to that amount. On canvassing the 
Conference, it was found impossible to get a majority 
committed against Brother Abel; and there was also 
lack of adequate ' help in the gate ' to warrant the 
undertaking. Carlton, who was at the bottom of 
all this trickery, (all the while as sober and solemn as 
a saint) did not think it policy to attack him seriously. 
The character of Bro. A. was merely arrested, slurred 
a little, and allowed to pass. So this card was the 
only available crumb of Hopkins' scratching and 
picking. After being duly testified to, as herein 
followeth, it was marked 'R' with commendable 
gravity, and solemnly filed among the documents of 
this persecution. 

Rev. J. B. Wentworth called. — Are you acquaint- 
ed with defendant's hand-writing ? I am. I have 
received letters from him. It is my opinion that this 
card is in his hand-writing. I am quite sure it is. 

Rev. J. M. Fuller called. — Are you acquainted 
with defendant's hand-writing ? Ans. — I am, sir. I 
have no doubt this card is in his hand-writing. I 
can't say when or where I first saw this card ; it was 
a few weeks since. 

Rev. S. M. Hopkins called. — Did you ever see this 
card before ? Ans. — Yes. I saw it first in the pulpit of 



TRIAL OF J. McCREERY. 181 

the M. E. Church, in Parma Centre, about the mid- 
dle of last November. There was a four day's 
meeting there, called by some a general quarterly- 
meeting. Defendant was there. I saw the Estes 
pamphlet at ^that meeting ; there was an abun- 
dance of them. I saw, as near as I could judge an 
hundred or an hundred and fifty copies. I bought 
some from a carriage in which Sister McCreery rode, 
and also Sister Fuller, who had been living with 
them. I did not see the defendant come to the meet- 
ing; but on inquiry, I judged it to be his carriage. 

Cross-questioned. — I first saw the card lying on the 
kneeling stool in the pulpit. I considered it an im- 
portant document. I thought it might shed light on 
the fountain whence these fly-sheets came. I am 
not positive whose buggy the fly-sheets were in. I 
bought eight copies from the arm-full that was 
brought from the buggy by Sister Fuller; to whom I 
paid the money. I do not recollect the exact price I 
paid. Brother Estes was at the meeting. I do not 
know whether they were sold on his account or not. 
Sister Fuller seemed to do the business ; whether the 
money went to Brother Estes or somebody else, I 
cannot say. I bought a dollar's worth. Part of 
them I found in the house of Brother Dunn. I paid 
all the money to Sister Fuller. I do not know that 
she was living at Brother Duels at the time; she 
was at the defendant's house during Conference. I 
soon found these pamphlets in almost every Metho- 
dist family on the circuit. 

Ques. — Did you send a copy to any Methodist by 
mail? 

This question was objected to by the prosecutor, ■ 



182 WHY A:^0THEU SECT. 

who remarked that Brother Hopkins -was not on 
trial for circulating the document. Though a hun- 
dred were engaged in a crime, it would not excuse 
any individual participant. 

The defendant wished to show that every body 
had circulated the pamphlet. No one ever dreamed 
of crime or contumacy in doing so. Both Regency 
and Nazarite preachers, men, women and children, 
did it with all the freedom they would an almanac or 
Fox's Book of Martyrs. The charge of contumacy 
for doing what every body else did, was a ridiculous 
farce. Seven hours ago, at the bidding of his mas- 
ters, this witness stood up and voted Brother Roberts 
expelled from the church, on the cliarge of circula- 
ting this pamphlet; and has pledged himself in 
secret conclave to do me the same service a few 
hours hence. Now, I wish to say by implication, 
that the criminality in the case is an after thought ; 
a fiction fabricated for the occasion. Other wit- 
nesses have volunteered to tell what they did with 
their packages. I wish to know what the witness 
did with his dollar's worth. 

The witness stated tliat he had had a bill of 
charges served on him, exactly like that against the 
defendant ; in fact it was the identical bill with de- 
fendant's name erased, and his own inserted in its 
place. 

The Bishop decided that the witness could not be 
required to answer so as to criminate himself. 

Ans. — I think I did the church no harm in what I 
did with the copies I bought ; I had the best interests 
of the church in view. 

The testimony of Brother Estes was substantially 



TRIAL OF J. McCREERY. 183 

the same that he gave in Brother Roberts' trial, to 
wit : That he alone was the resjjonsible author and 
publisher of the pamphlet bearing his name. Pie did 
not forward a copy to defendant for proof reading. 
He had no recollection of ord,ering the printer to do 
so. He presumed he ordered it to be sent some- 
where, to some body. As the Conference had seen 
fit to assume that the publication was a crime, he 
should not put them on the track of any more vic- 
tims by saying to whom he ordered it sent. Several 
laymen saw it before it was published. Some advised 
the publication, and some dissuaded from it. He 
had been threatened with a civil prosecution for the 
publication. He was ready for it any day. He alone 
was responsible ; and he was ready and able to prove 
all he had published, in a civil court, whenever he 
should be called upon. Everbody had circulated it. 

Testimony for the defense : 

Rev. S. Hunt called. — Have you seen in the Buf- 
falo Christian Advocate, a notice of the proceedings 
of the last Conference in the case of Brother Rob- 
erts ? 

Ans. — I think I read a reference to it. (Here 
Bishop Baker hastily left the chair, and Bishop Janes 
took it.) Ques. — Did that paper give the charge 
and specifications of the trial ? This question was 
objected to as irrelevant, by the prosecutor, who 
said, ' We are not trying newspapers here.' 

Defendant : ' But we are doing the next thing to it 
— we are trying a pamphlet. Now I wish to show 
that newspaper falsehood is justification for pamph- 
let truth as an antidote. The trial of Brother Rob- 
ei-ts had become a notorious newspaper fact. The 



184 117/ r ANOTHER tjECT. 

Buffalo Advocate had published ex parte reports, 
white-washing one side, and black-balling the other. 
And when it was asked, as it was concerning one 
guilty of something like the same crime, eighteen 
hundred years ago, 'Why, what harm hath he done?' 
the only response of this organ of the Genesee Con- 
ference Sadducees was : unchristian and^ iiuTnoral 
conduct ! On this text, furnished by a judicial trick- 
ery of the lowest grade, the changes were rung ; 
while the thing he did was carefully kept out of sight. 
Truth demanded the re-publication of " New School 
Methodism," that people might know what sort of 
writing it was that was so criminal. And a justifia- 
ble curiosity demanded a faithful expose of the 
several Carltonian modes of reasoning employed by 
the masters of this judicial ceremony, to bring the 
Conference to this strange verdict of ' Immorality^ 
in the case. The defendant claims it his right to 
show this in justification of the facts charged in the 
indictment.' 

The objection was sustained by the Bishop. 
"Whereupon all further defense was silently declined. 

Thus the defensive testimony amounts in all, to 
two questions and one answer. 

The prosecutor made a grandiloquent plea. 

The defendant answered not a word. 

The defendant was voted guilty of the specifica- 
tions, and of the charge. 

And he was expelled from the . Conference and 
from the Church, by the usual number of votes — 50. 

SYNOPSIS OF THE VOTE. 

Regular Regency men, ... 33 

Presiding elderlings, . . . .15 



TRIAL OF J. McCREERY. 185 

•Serious ninnies, affrighted with the bug-bear of 
Nazaritism, .... 2 

Total vote for expulsion, . . .50 

Members who voted against expulsion,. . l"? 

Members of Conference who did not vote at all, 53 
Total who did not vote for expulsion . 70 

Total number of members, . . 120 

It will be noticed that a remarkably large number 
of the preachers did not vote. Carlton had managed 
to have it carefully whispered around, so loud that 
all could hear it, that the Bishop was going to make 
the appointments of the preachers according to their 
standing up for the church; i; e. the regency fac- 
tion ; — in this eventful crisis. All the presiding elders 
were fast friends of the church : — i. e. the tools of 
Carlton, Robie & Co., — except one ; and he was re- 
moved at this Conference, and expelled at the next. 
The skillful rattling of the loaves and fishes in the 
market baskets labelled P. E. did the thing. It 
worked both ways ; gaining both votes, and blanks, 
or no votes. 

This accounts for a large number who would not 
vote wickedly, and dare not vote righteously. The 
appointing power is omnipotent ; — and he who has 
the faculty of fawning, or bullying, or deceiving it 
into his service, can do or be anything he pleases. 

Each of US gave notice of an appeal to the 
Gfeneral Conference. 

But what should we do in the mean while ? 
We were both twenty years younger than we 
are now, full of life, and energy, and anxious 
to save onr own souls and as many others as 



isii WffY ANOTHER SECT. 

we cDuld. Neither of us had any thought of 
forming a new church — we had great love for 
Methodism, and unfaltering confidence in the 
integrity of the body as a whole. We did not 
doubt but that the General Conference would 
make matters right. But we did not like to 
stand idl}' waiting two long years. We took 
advice of men of age and experience, in whom 
we had confidence. 

As I left the Conference Bishop Janes shook 
hands with me cordially and said, "Do not 
be discouraged, Brother Roberts — there is a 
bright future before you yet." 

Rev. Amos Hard in a letter still before us 
wrote : 

" At the session of the Genesee Conference held at 
Pcny, October 185 8,. while the character of several 
brethren was under arrest, I had with Bishop Janes, 
substantially the following coaversation : 

' Would the joining of another church by an ex- 
pelled member invalidate his appeal ?' 

He replied: 'I would prefer not to answer that 
question to-night, as I do not call to mind the action 
of the General Conference in the case of John C. 
Green.' 

I then asked, ' Would it aflPect his appeal if art 
expelled member should join our church on proba- 
tion ?' 

He replied: ' I do not think it would.' 

(Signed,) Amos Haed." 

The Rev. William Reddy was then among 



LETTER FROM REV. WM. REDD Y. 187 

the prominent ministers of tlie M. E. Cliurcli. 
He was a successful presiding elder — highly 
esteemed for his piety and sound judgment. 
He had been several times a member of the 
Greneral Conference. He wrote as follows : 

"Genoa, Oct. 29, 1858. 
Dbae Beotheb Roberts : 

Let me freely speak to you. The General Con- 
ference will not be under such an inflammation as 
"was the Genesee Conference, arui I think they will 
judge righteous judgment. At all events, I am glad 
you exercise your rights and have appealed ; and I 
am glad you appealed from last year's sentence, 
because this year's is founded on the last. 

But now as to your course until General Confer- 
ence : I think I would do one of two things — either 
join on trial at, say Pekin, where you labored last 
year; or not join at all until after General Conference. 
It occurred to me since reading your letter, that you 
lad better not join or attempt to join even on pro- 
bation; but as to relation, remain where you ai-e 
until the appeal is decided. 

Then, as to labor, you feel, and others believe, that 
God has called and commissioned you to preach the 
unaearcliahle riches of Christ. The Genesee Con- 
ference has said you shoul-d not preach under their 
authority; but you have not lost your Christian 
character, nor has their act worked the forfeiture of 
your commission from God. I would then go on and 
preach and labor for souls, and promote the work of 
the Lord, under the avowed declaration that you do 
it, not as by the authority of the M. E. Church, but 



188 WHY ANOTHER ISECT. 

by virtue of your divine call. Then, whoever invites 
your labor or comes to hear you, they alone are respon- 
sible. You violate then no church relation, because 
you have none. You violate no church order, for 
you are not now under church authority. You are 
simply God's messenger. I would not exercise the 
functions of a minister, for that implies church 
authority and order, and that you have not. I would 
not officiate at meetings nor administer the sacra- 
ments, as a minister. But I would preach because 
Grod calls — I would receive the sacrament of the 
supper, if invited and permitted, because Christ com- 
mands. I would forego the other points for the sake 
of your appeal, and to show that you are not so very 
contumacious. This very course, I doubt not, will 
increase sympathy for you, and increase your injln- 
eiioe, and if you are restored, will put you on higher 
ground than ever. Meantime I would avoid reference 
as far as possible to your opposers and oppressors, as 
though you were fighting them. ' Contend for the 
faith once delivered to the saints.' 'Let them that 
suffer according to the will of God commit the keep- 
ing of their souls unto him in well-doing, as unto a 
faithful Creator.' 

I do not see why you may not, in that way, pro- 
mote the work of real holiness, and the salvation of 
sinners. Go where you are invited, and where the 
door opens, 7iot in the name of the M. E. Church, 
but simply as a man of God to preach the Gospel. 
'SYho shall forbid your doing this ? 

But keep yourself from appearing to set yourself 
in array against the authority and order of the M. 
E. Church, while you claim the constitutional rights 



JOINING THE CHURCH. 189 

of an expelled member. I believe God will bring 
you out like gold, tried in the fire. 

Dear Brother, excuse my liberty. These are but 
suggestions coming spontaneously from a brother's 
anxious heart. I praise God that he keeps you. 
Yours faithfully, 

William Reddt." 

On the whole we thought, and our friends 
thought that we had better join on probation ; 
this would show our loyalty to the church. 
It was hardly possible for us to hold meetings 
without sometimes worshiping with some of 
the salvation preachers in the Conference. 
Our holding a relation to the church would, it 
was thought, shield them from censure. 

We could not, in conscience make confes- 
sion for what we had been expelled — ^for we 
felt we had done no wrong. So we adopted 
Bishop Baker' s construction of the discipline. 

" When a member or preacher has been expelled, 
according to due form of discipline, he can not after- 
ward enjoy the privileges of society and sacrament, 
in our church, without contrition, confession, and 
satisfactory reformation; but if, however, the society 
become convinced of the innocence of the expelled 
member, he may again be received on trial, without 
confession." 

The society at Pekin, which I served last, 
were convinced of my innocence, and unani- 
mously received me on trial. 



190 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

Joseph McCreery was received, also iinani- 
mously, on probation by the society at Spen- 
cerport. 

We received, each of ns, from the society 
which we had respectively joined, license to 
exhort ; and we went out, holding meetings 
as pro\-idence opened the way. There was a 
deep, religious interest wherever we went, and 
many, we trust, were converted, and many 
believers sanctified Avholly, and the people 
generalh' awakened to a sense of their eternal 
interests. 



CHAPTER IX. 

laymen's cosrvBNTioisr. 

These violent expulsions naturally created 
intense excitement all over the Conference. 
Articles upon the subject appeared in many of 
the papers, religious and secular, nearly all, 
except those written in the interest of the ma- 
jority, condemning the action of the Confer- 
ence. Quarterly conferences and official 
boards passed resolutions expressing their sense 
of the great vrrong which had been committed. 

At length, Isaac M. Chesbrough, of Pekin, 
Magara County, H.Y., suggested the holding 
of a convention of representative brethren 
from tho'se societies within the bounds of the 
Genesee Conference which were opposed to its 
oppressive action. 

He was an old Methodist of fifty years 
standing, a man of great intelligence, sound 
judgment, unbending integrity and large ex- 
perience in the world. He was always ready 
to succor the distressed, to encourage the de- 
sponding, and to stand by the oppressed. He 
saw quickly through mere pretensions, ab- 
horred hypocrisy and shams, and was not 
afraid to act up to his convictions. His pro- 



192 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

posal met with, general favor. A call foi 
a convention was made, signed by over one hun- 
dred of the leading men of twenty-two circuits 
and stations. 

In answer to the call, one hundred and ninety 
five leading men, from forty-seven circuits and 
stations, met at Albion, December 1st, 1858, for 
the purpose of holding a convention. A lay- 
man' s love feast was lield in tlie M. E. Church, 
the first evening, which was a service of great 
interest. The Convention was held in Kings- 
land Hall. 

HoN". Abwer I. Wood was chosen President; 
I. M. Chesbrough, G. W. Holmes, S. C. 
Springer, G. C. Sheldon, J. H. Brooks, George 
Bascom and C. Sanford, Vice-Presidents ; S. 
K. J. Chesbrougli, W. H. Doyle and J. A. 
Latta were chosen Secretaries. 

A committee on resolutions was appointed, 
composed of S. K. J. Chesbroughj,, W. H. 
Doyle, G. W. Estes, S. S. Rice, John Billings, 
A. Ames and J. Handly. They brought in a 
report setting forth in plain terms the grievan- 
ces of which they complained, which, after be- 
ing ably discussed, was unanimously adopted. 

In speaking of the expulsions, they said : 

" We look upon the expulsion of brothers Roberts 
and McCreery as an act of wicked persecution, call- 
ing for the strongest condemnation. It was also a 



LAYMEN' (< CONVENTION. 193 

palpable violation of that freedom, of speech and of 
the press which is guaranteed to all by our free insti- 
tutions." 

In reference to the article written by Rev. B. 
T. Roberts, which was made the basis' of the 
Conference action, they say : 

" The candor and good spirit of his article is ap- 
parent. We have ourselves heard different preach- 
ers in sympathy with the "Regency party" set forth, 
views similar to those ascribed to them in " New 
School Methodism." 

Respecting the "fanaticism" which these 
men and others were charged with promoting, 
tliey said : 

"So trifling was the accusation against these breth- 
ren, that in all the efforts that have been made to 
vindicate those voting for their condemnation, no 
one has attempted to show that the testimony justi- 
fied the decision. Their only defence is, ' If these 
men did not deserve to be expelled for circulating 
the pamphlet, they did for promoting enthusiasm and 
fanaticism.' If so, why were they not tried for it ? 
Where is the justice of trying men for one thing, and 
condemning them for another? 

In reference to this charge of ' fanaticism and en- 
thusiasm,' we feel prepared to speak. Ourmeans of in- 
formation are far more reliable than the means of those 
preachers who bring the accusation. We have at- 
tended the " camp meetings and General Quarterly 
meetings," against which a special outcry has been 
made as the " hot-beds of enthusiasm." We have 
listened to the preaching of these brethren who are 



194 WHY ANUTHEIi fiECT. 

charged with promoting these disorders — have heard 
some of them by the year. We know vjhat Met/iV- 
dis'/n is; some of us were converted, and joined the 
church under the labors of her honored pioneers. We 
speak advisedly then, when we say that the charge 
brought against brothers Roberts and McCreery, and 
the class of preachers denominated " Nazarites," of 
promoting fanaticism," is utterly false and groundless. 
They ai-e simply trying to have us in earnest to gain 
heaven. Instead of attacking the church, they are 
its defenders. They preach the doctrines of the 
Methodist Church, as we used to hear them preached 
years ago ; and through their instrumentality many 
have been made to rejoice in the enjoyment of aPEEs- 
ENT AND FULL SALVATION. We Cannot say this of 
their opposers. The Regency affirm that they 
preach the doctrines of holinesss. We have yet to 
learn of the first person who has of late years expe- 
rienced this blessing through their instrumentality. 
On the contrary, we believe some of them have put 
down the standard of justification far below what 
Methodism and Scripture will warrant. Whether, 
therefore, we consider the ostensible, or the real cause 
of the expulsion of brothers Roberts and McCreery, 
the act calls for and receives our hearty and earnest 
condemnation." 

Of the impossibility of bringing accused 
" Regency " preachers to justice, they said : 

" Xor can we pass by as undesei"ving of notice, the 
course pursued by the 'Regency party,' whenever 
complaints of a serious character have been brought 
against any of their number. 



CHBCK ON MINISTERiS. 193 

Reports that some of them have been guilty of 
* crimes expressly forbidden in the word of God,' 
and involving a high degree of moral turpitude have 
been current. Complaints have been made, and 
though the proof of their guilt was deemed ample, 
yet they have been summarily dismissed, and in such 
a way as to discoUrage all efforts to bring to justice 
before the Conference, any of the ' Regency ' preach- 
ers, no matter how wicked and immoral he may be." 

From standard works written in defense of 
the Methodist polity, they show that, whUe 
in tliat churcli the laity had no voice in mak- 
ing and administering the laws, yet the}^ 
were understood to have had an effectual rem- 
edy against clerical oppression, in their power 
to withhold support from unworthy preachers. 

" One patent remedy is within our reach, the 
power to withhold our supplies. We are satisfied 
that no matter how strongly we may condemn the 
course of the Regency faction, they will not amend, 
so long as they are sustained. — Besides we can not 
in conscience give our money to put down the woi-k 
of the Lord. Therefore, we wish it distinctly under- 
stood that we can not pay one farthing to preacher 
or presiding elder, who voted for the expulsion of 
Brothers Roberts and McCreery: only upon 'contri- 
tion, confession, and satisfactory reformation.' 

It may be thought by some that such action on our 
part is revolutionary. But from the following ex- 
tracts, it will appear i\\&\ we are only exercising our 
undisputed rights, in a constitutional way. 



196 WHY ANOTHER fiEUT. 

We are giving unquestionable proofs of our loy- 
alty to the Church, by thus endeavoring to correct one 
of the most oppressive and tyrannical abuses of 
power that was ever heard of. 

We trust that none will think of leaving the 
church — but let us all stand by and apply the proper, 
legitimate remedy for the shameless outrages that 
have been perpetrated under the forms of justice. 

We quote from an Essay on Church Polity, by 
Rev. Abel Stevens, LL. D. This book has been 
adopted by the General Conference as a text book in 
the course of study for young preachers. Hence, it 
is of the highest authority. Dr. Stevens says, 
'Church Polity, page 162. — 'What check have the 
neople on this machinery ? It is clear that as the 
preachers appoint the Bishops, and the Bishops dis- 
tribute the preachers, the people should check the 
whole plan by a counterbalance upon the whole min- 
isterial body. This is provided in the most decisive 
form that it could possibly assume, namely, the pow- 
er of pecuniary supplies. No stipulated contract for 
support exists in the Methodist economy. The disci- 
pline allows a certain support, but does not enforce 
it ; and no Methodist preacher can prosecute a civil 
suit for his salary. The General Conference disclaims 
all right to tax the property of our members. 

A Methodist Church has no necessity, in order to 
control or remove the preacher, to prosecute him by 
a tedious and expensive process at law, but simply 
to signify that after a given date his supplies cease. 
He cannot live on ah-; he must submit or depart. 

This would be a sufficient guaranty, certainly; and 
this check applies not merely to a specific prerogative 



CHECK ON MINISTERS. 197 

of the ministry, but to the whole ministerial system. 
The lamented Dr. Emory thus states: 

' We have said the Methodist Episcopal Church 
possesses eilective and substantial security against 
\any encroachments of tyranny on the part of her 
.(pastors. For the sober truth is, that there is not a 
I'body of ministers in the world more perfectly depend- 
ent on those whom they serve than the Methodist 
Itinerant Ministry. — Our system places us, in fact, 
not only from year to year, or from quarter to 
quarter, but from week to week within the reach of 
such a controlling check, on the part of the people, 
as is possessed, we verily believe, by no other denomi- 
nation whatever.' 

' Dr. Bond in his Economy of Methodism page 35^ 
says; ' ' 

The General Conference have never considered 
them.selve8 authorized to levy taxes upon the laity, 
or to make any pecuniary contribution a condition of 
membership in the church. Our preachers are totally 
dependent upon the voluntary contributions of the 
laity : and we thereby have oyer them a positive and 
absolute control ; for whenever their flocks shall 
withdraw their support, the preachers will be under 
the necessity of abandoning their present pastoral 
relation, and of betaking themselves to some secular 
occupation. The travelling preacher who depends 
for bread, both for himself and family, upon the good 
will of the lay brethren, can have no temptation to 
any unwarrantable or odious exercise of authority 
over them.' 

In ' Ecclesiastical Polity, by Rev. A. N". Fillmore,' 
page 166 we have the following: — 'Methodist preach- 



198 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

^rs have no means of enforcing the payment of a cent 
for their support, for although the discipline provides 
for a certain allowance, it furnishes no means to 
■ohtain it ; and there is no article even to expose a 
member to censure for neglecting or refusing to 
contribute for the support of the Gospel.' 

Thus the right to withhold supplies, upon good and 
sufficient reasons, is conceded and urged by standard 
authors' of our church. That such a reason now 
■exists, must be apparent to every one that is not en- 
tirely blinded to the claims of justice and humanity." 
In describing the origin of the Convention 
they say : 

" This Convention originated among ourselves. 
The first suggestion was made by one of our number. 
Neither the brethren expelled, nor any of the mem-, 
hers of the Conference had anything to do whatever 
with calling this Convention. We mention this fact, 
because the insinuation is frequently made, that the 
people can do nothing except at the instigation of the 
preachers. We are not papists, requiring to be in- 
structed by the priesthood at every turn what action 
we shall take, or what papers and books we 
shall read." 

The following were the resolutions of gener- 
al importance adopted. 

" Resolved, That we have the utmost confidence in 
Brothers B. T. Roberts and Joseph McCreery, not- 
withstanding their expulsion from the Conference, 
ranking them, as we do, among the most pure and able 
ministers of the New Testament. 

Resolved, That we adhere to the doctrines and 



RESOLUTIONS. 199 

usages of the fathers of Methodism. Our attachment 
to the M. E. Church is earnest and hearty, but we do 
not acknowledge the oppressive policy of the seci'et 
fraternity in the Conference, known as the Buffalo 
Regency, as the action of the church; and we cannot 
and will not submit to the same. We hold it as a 
gross mal-administration under the assumed sanction 
of judicial forms. 

Resolved, That the laity are of some use to tlie 
church, and that their views and opinions ought to 
command some little respect rather than that cool 
contempt with which their wishes have been treated 
by some of the officials of the Conference, for several 
years past. 

Resolved, That the farcical cry of disunion and 
secession is the artful production of designing men, 
to frighten the feeble and timid into their plans of 
operation and proscription. We wish to have it dis- 
tinctly understood that we have not, and never had 
the slightest intention of leaving the church of our 
choice, and that we heartily approve of the course of 
Brothers Roberts and McCreery in re-joining the 
church at their first opportunity, and we hope that 
the oppressive and unmethodistic administration indi- 
cated in the pastoral address as the current policy 
of the majority of the Conference, will not drive any 
of our brethren from the church. Methodists have 
a better right in the Methodist Episoojsal Cliurch 
than any body else, and by God 's grace, in it we 
intend to remain. 

Resoh'ed, That it is a matter of no small grievance 
and of detriment to the Church of God that these 
preachers in their local, pastoral administration, liave 



200 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

deliberately set tliemsc4ves to exclude from official 
position in the church, leaders, stewards and trustees, 
members of deep and undoubted Christian experi- 
ence, because of their adhesion to spiritual, religious 
Methodism, and to supply their places with persons 
of slight and supei-ficial religious experience, because 
of their adhesion to a worldly-policy Methodism. 

Resolved, That we will not aid in the support of 
any member of the Genesee Conference who assisted, 
either by his vote or his influence, in the expulsion of 
Brothers Roberts and MeCreery from the Conference 
and the church, until they are fully reinstated to 
their former position, and that we do recommend all 
those who believe that these brethren have been 
unjustly expelled from the Conference and the 
church, to take the same course. 

Resolved, That we recommend Brother B. T. 
Roberts and Rev. J. MeCreery to travel at large, 
and labor as opportunity presents for the promoting 
of the work of God and the salvation of souls." 

These earnest, dignified utterances of this 
large, respectable body of Christian men, pro- 
duced a profound impression upon the com- 
munity. 

The Orleans American, of Albion, in an 
editorial of Dec. 9, 1858, besides giving an 
account of the officers, and of the business 
done, said : 

" On Thursday morning the Convention proceeded 
to business. The discassions were carried on with 
animation, in a good spirit, and with marked ability. 
The action of the Convention was harmonious to a 



LAYMEN'S CONVENTION. 201 

degree that we had not anticipated. It was composed 
of able men who had set themselves to work in earn- 
est to correct what they believed to be a great evil 
in the administration of church affairs. Whether 
the course adopted will produce the desired result, 
remains to be seen. The number in attendance was 
much larger than we anticipated, all portions of the 
Conference being represented. W. G. Colegrove 
came from Smethport, McKean Co., Pa. ; Gr. C. Shel- 
don from Allegany, and James Brooks from Olean. 
There was a large sprinkling of gray heads in the 
Convention. Prominent among the old men was I. 
M. Chesbrough, of Pekin, who first suggested the 
holding of a convention, a noble looking old gentle- 
man, formerly from Baltimore. Mr. Jeffres of Cov- 
ington,also won golden opinions by the pertinency 
and ability of his remarks." 

In accordance, with the recommendation of 
this convention, Brother McCreery and myseK 
Avent throughout the Conference, in the name 
of Christ, holding meetings, and laboring for 
the salvation of souls. But we were careful to 
state that we claimed no authority from the 
M. E. Church to hold meetings — that we did 
as we were doing, at the call of Christ, on our 
own responsibility as men and as Christians. 
We not only announced this in the public con- 
gregations, but in the March following our 
expulsion, I published the following in the 
Northern Independent : 

" It seems to be a question among the doctors. 



202 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

whether I belong to the church or not. I did the 
best I could to stay in ; and when I was thrust out 
without my fault, I tried to get back, and really 
thought I had accomplished it, but the president of a 
recent church trial,which trials, by the by, are becom- 
ing quite numerous in Genesee Conferience, decided 
that I was not a member.even ' on probation.' As this 
was a 'judicial decision,' an ' act of adm.inistration,' 
of course it settles the question. But in or out, I 
trust I may still be permitted to entertain ' a desire 
to flee from the wrath to come.' Our excellent dis- 
cipline specifies as among the fruits of this desire, 
' instructing, reproving, and exhorting all we have 
any intercourse with.' This, then, is what I am do- 
ing. The Lord has opened a wide door, into which 
I have entered. I disclaim all authority from man, 
but simply ' instruct, reprove and exhort,' because I 
believe he has called me to it, and he blesses me in 
it. Everywhere we go, large and attentive congre- 
gations listen to the word with apparently deep in- 
terest." 

But it is not too mucli to say that the dom- 
inant party were greatly excited. The Buffalo 
Advocate and the Northern Advocate seemed 
to vie with each other in pouring upon us, and 
upon all who gave us aid and comfort, a steady 
tirade of abuse. Dr. Hibbard treated us with 
great consideration until a clear majority was 
obtained against us. Then he went to every 
length to vindicate every act of the majority, 
and to create public sentiment against those 
whom they had proscribed. 



EDITOR OF N. C. ADVOCATE. 203 

The statements which he. published in his 
paper about the proscribed party of the 
Genesee Conference were so incorrect, that 
Rev. W. Hosmer, who aimed to tell the 
truth, wherever it might hit," and who could 
not bear duplicity, gave him, in an editorial 
of January '29, 1859, this reminder: "We 
hope he will remember that even an official 
editor is under some obligations to speak the 
truth." 

By means of these organs, and such other 
papers, as, through secret society influence 
they could control, our opposers kept flowing 
an incessant stream of exaggeration, and mis- 
representation. 

A prominent member of the East Genesee 
Conference said of them in the Northern In- 
dependent : 

" If the Advocate and the clique whose servile and 
mercenary organ it is, will only keep from praising^ 
us, we shall consider ourselves most fortunate. 
Their abuse is the highest eulogy. Their commenda- 
tion would be insufferable. With any marks of their 
approbation upon us, we should, as Cain did when 
he was branded, go out from the presence of the 
Lord, crying, ' My punishment is greater than I can 
bear.' " 

The editor of the Northern Independent., 
who could not be awed into silence, spoke 
of the Conference action with his wonted 



304 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

courage and sound sense. In one of his edi- 
torials, he said : 

"the advocate's course. 

The editor of the N. C. Advocate is driving fari- 
ously at the " Nazarites." As if the unfortunate 
brethren designated by this slang term, had not been 
sufficiently persecuted, he pitches into them with 
characteristic bravery and acumen. 

He affects to believe that such a thing as a 
Nazarite society once existed ; other people, howev- 
er, know better, and his historical developments pass 
for nothing. By the way, the editor writes on this 
subject with little discrimination. He seems to 
forget that among the most unbearable of things, is 
the triumph of official arrogance over fallen virtue. 
He should know that the man at whom his shafts are 
principally aimed, is his equal in every way, and his 
superior in learning, in talents, and in all the higher 
elements of ministerial character. We say these 
things the more freely, because we have never been 
a defender of the Nazarites. We have deemed it 
our duty to let them defend themselves — a work 
which they are well able to do. Our columns shall 
always be open to the persecuted. Two papers — the 
JV. C. Advocate, and the Buffalo Advocate, pre fully 
occupied in the noble work of extirpating these 
brethren, and to shut our columns against them in 
this extremity, would be a depth of meanness to 
which we care not to descend. We have not 
attacked the Regency, as the dominant party of the 
Conference is termed. One act of the Genesee 
Conference we have condemned, because it seemed 



EDITOR OF N. C. ADVOCATE. 205 

to us both unwise, and unjust, in a very high degree. 
Others may approve of the expulsion of Brothers 
Roberts and McCreery if they please, as this is a 
free country, but we shall have our own opinion of 
that matter, together with its cognate difficulties. 
In dissenting from a majority of the Conference, we 
occupy no partisan relation — it is an independent 
judgment of a particular occurrence. All oppression, 
whether at the North or the South, whether of black 
men, or white men, is alike wicked, and deserves our 
cordial detestation. We claim that men should 
have a fair trial, and that an arbitrary, high-handed 
way pf disposing of them, is only a fresh display of 
the same rampant spirit of oppression that has kept 
the African trodden down for ages. But the most 
singular thing in all this, is the remarkable prowess 
of Brother Hibbard. Whenever the ecclesiastical 
guillotine cuts off a man's head, he immediately 
squares himself, like a knight errant, and assaults the 
dead carcass. He is terrible — against such a foe, 
Luther and Knox could not equal him." 

Rev. Hiram Matteson, D. D., wrote : 

" Who does not remember that just before the last 

General Conference Brother Hibbard had several 

long articles in the Christian Advocate, in advocacy 

of the very doctrines that he now calls ' Nazaritism.' " 

Rev. CD. Burlingham said : 

The Advocate is doing its best to maintain its cur- 
rent reputation. For misrepresentation and abuse 
the Northern Christian Advocate is fully entitled to 
the palm. Zeal, intense zeal is usually a prominent 
trait in the character of a young convert." 



CHAPTER X. 

WAK AGAINST THE MEJIJJEKS. 

Arbitrary power demands abject submis- 
sion. Conscious of their strength and flushed 
with their victory, the preachers used every 
means to bring the members wlio op- 
posed the oppressive acts oi the Conference, 
into subjection. We have never read, in any 
period of the church' s history, of the employ- 
ment by the preachers, of more arbitrary and 
tyrannical measures than those adopted by the 
preachers of the dominant party in the Gren- 
esee Conference to subjugate those members 
who would not bow implicitly to their author- 
ity. Had such tyranny been exercised by the 
priests of the Roman Catholic church, there 
would have been an outcry raised which Vi^ould 
have been heard all over the land and across 
the Atlantic. 

To expel members and read them out with- 
drawn without their consent became the order 
of the day. The preacher was often prosecu- 
tor, vntness, judge, and if not jury, it was a 
servile body of his own creation. He select- 
ed the committee who tried the case. Where 
enough men sufficiently pliant to do his bid- 



RBV. CLA UDIUS BRAINABD. 807 

ding could not be foxind in the society, he im- 
ported them from a distance. 

"I will not do your dirty work for yoii," in- 
dignantly said a local preacher of the circuit, 
when asked to sit on a jury to expel Claudius 
Brainard. So one was brought seventy miles, 
from Buffalo, for the purpose. 

To have 3,ttended the Albion Convention was 
held to be a crime sufficient for expulsion, l^o 
matter how long a man had been a member of 
the M. E. Church, or how important his servi- 
ces, or how great his sacrifices had been in its 
behalf ; no matter how spotless his reputation 
or godly his life, if he dared to befriend those 
whom the majority of the Conference had an- 
athematized, he was liable to have the heaviest 
anathemas poured upon his head. 

One preacher was arrested for praying with 
us. By chance, Rev. Rufus Cooley and 
his wife, and myself and Mrs. Roberts met at 
the house of Mrs. Cooley' s mother. After tea 
we had a season of prayer. Mr. Cooley prayed 
and I prayed. For this offence the character 
of the Rev. Rufus Cooley was arrested at the 
next session of the Genesee Conference ! 

On the 14th of February, 1859, the Rev. 
Claudius Brainard, of North Chili, was tried 
and expelled for attending the Laymen' s Con- 
vention at Albion. Ther,e were three charges 



208 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

and nineteen specifications preferred against 
Mm, all taken from the proceedings of the 
Laymen's Convention. 

For a number of years Claudius Brainard 
was an acceptable and useful, travelling preach- 
er. His health failing him, he vras obliged to 
locate. He continued, hov^ever, to preach, as 
his health permitted, and his services were 
needed. His acquaintance was extensive, and 
wherever known he was regarded as a deeply 
devoted Christian, and a man of unbending in- 
tegrity and sincere piety. To make the matter 
sure, the Rev. J. B. Lankton, preacher in 
charge, summoned a committee of local preach- 
ers from a distance — men who could be de- 
pended on to exec ate the will of the ' 'Regency. ' ' 

Of his expulsion, Mr. Brainard said in the 
Independent, of February 15th, 1859 : 

" Yesterday, I was expelled from the M. E. 
Church, for attending the Laymen's Convention. 
No other charge was preferred. For all harsh words 
or unchristian expressions, just retraction was made. 
My expulsion was for the expression of my honest 
sentiments. Had I given up my judgment to an 
Annual Conference, I could have retained my stand- 
ing in the church. But then I should not have been 
a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor even a 
CJiristian. I would die a martyr's death for my own 
judgment, rather than yield my judgment to an 
Annual Conference. My soul sweetly rests in Christ. 



TRIAL OF REV. C. BRAINARD. 309 

f 
A consciousness of riglit, and the approval of my 
Judge, sustain me. I shall unite on trial, the first 
opportunity, with the M. E. Church. It is time the 
laity were awake to their own rights in the church." 

Mr. Brainard appealed to the Annual Con- 
ference, but tliey refused to entertain the ap- 
peal. This was contrary to an explicit rule of 
disciplinej but they paid no attention to the 
discipline, only as far as they could use it to 
punish those who would not submit to their 
dictation. 

When the Rev. Wm. D. Buck, a personal 
friend of Mr. Brainard, was asked why he vo- 
ted against entertaining his appeal, he frankly 
replied, " Because Bishop Simpson told me to." 

William Hosmer was the only editor that 
was awake to the enormities that were being 
perpetrated, or that had the honesty or the 
courage to hold them up to public reproba- 
tion. In reply to some who endeavored to 
conceal the fact that Mr. Brainard was ex- 
pelled for attending the Albion Convention, 
because there were three charges against him, 
Mr. Hosmer said : 

" Three charges were, to all intents and purposes, 
one charge, and but one, unless the specifications 
relied on to support them had their origin in circum- 
stances apart fi'om the Albion Convention. — The 
crime of attending that Convention might have been 
prosecuted under forty different heads, and by a 



210 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

thousand different specifications, and yet all would 
have been substantially one and the same charge. In 
order to show that there was in reality more charges 
than one, it should have been made to appear that 
crimes unconnected with said Convention, and of 
a wholly different character, were alleged against 
the party accused. For prudential reasons, it is not 
uncommon in criminal prosecutions of this kind to 
disguise the real offense under formidable allegations 
which no one expects to prove or ever supposed to 
be true. In such a case, though the charges are not 
proved, they help blacken the character and cover 
the nakedness of the attempt. If sham charges ai)e 
made, some will believe them, and in the mean time 
the accused can be convicted with better grace on 
the less flagrant points in the indictment. What the 
facts in this case are can only be known from the 
specifications themselves, and the entire history con- 
nected with the trial. The matter is in itself of 
very great moment, because it clearly involves the 
right of the laity to assemble for the redress of 
grievances. If attendance on such meetings is to 
be construed into a crime, or, if woif(is spoken there 
are to be prosecuted under the grave head of 'con- 
tumacy,' ' slander,' ' sowing discord,' etc. ; then what- 
ever may happen, our laymen must be silent on 
pain of expulsion. Such a condition of things 
would be nothing better than now falls to the lot of 
the deluded votaries of the Catholic Church. Can 
the brethren concerned in this apparently unfortu- 
nate piece of administration, show that Brother 
Brainard was not expelled for words spoken, or deeds 
done, at the Albion Convention ? Had this case 



THOMAS HANNAH. 311 

stood alone, we should not have noticed it, as ocoa- 
' sional errors are to be met with in the best adminis- 
trations, but there is good reason to suppose that it 
connects with a principle which is to have a wide 
application. — When ecclesiastical persecution as- 
sumes a judicial form, it is one of the most tremen- 
dous scourges ever let loose upon society. The 
fires of Smithfield were kindled by misguided church 
judicatories, and every Romish auto-da-fe has the 
same origin. Believing not only that these Ecclesias- 
tical decapitations are the worst kind of murder, but 
that slavery will demand in other Conferences a 
repetition of the scenes enacted in the Genesee Con- 
ference, we shall both apprise the public of what 
is going on and strip the proceedings of their 
assumed sanctity." 

On the same circuit Mr. Thomas Hannah 
and Alexander Patten were also expelled for 
the same cause. They vs^ere well-to-do far- 
mers, men of solid judgment and sound piety. 
Mr. Hannah had recently paid three hundred 
dollars for a Church on the circuit, and given 
his note for three hundred more. This they 
collected, though they had unceremoniously 
excluded him from the house for which it was 
intended to pay. 

Mr. John Prue, Mrs. Sarah Prue, Mr. and 
Mrs. Hutchins, Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Mrs. 
H. Loder, Fanny Smith and Mrs. K". S. Brain- 
ard, were read out as "withdrawn" without 
their consent. Mr. Prue, and others, had 



212 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

just paid liberally towards building the 
churches. 

On the adjoining circuit Mr. Hart Smith, an 
upright, conscientious Christian, for years a 
■.member of the church, was expelled by Rev. 
Sumner Smith, with the help of a committee 
taken from Chili, the members in Churchville 
refusing to act in the case. 

On the 13th of April, 1859, Mr. Thomas B. 
Catton, of Perry, was tried by his pastor, 
Rev. W. S. Tuttle. There were four charges 
and twenty-three specifications presented 
against him. The pastor assumed in the out- 
set that he should be expelled, and cited him : 

" To answer to said charges and specifications, and 
show cause why you should not be expelled from the 
M. E. Church." 

In other courts, the prosecution must show 
cause toJiy the accused should he punished, 
but in this court it was taken for granted that 
one accused of being a "Nazarite" deserved 
the highest penalty of the law, and he must 
show cause why it should not ie inflicted. 
As in the case of Rev. Mr. Lankton, the Rev. 
W. S. Tuttle claimed to be one against whom 
the action of the Albion Convention was 
directed — that is to be a party in the case — 
and yet he acted as Judge, selected his own 
jury, and in reality conducted the prosecution. 



TBIAL OP T. B. CATTON. 213 

Mr. Catton wrote us of Ms trial at the time : 

" You can get only a very faint idea of the pro- 
cfeedings, from the minutes. Brother Hibbard said in 
speaking of your trial, that, ' all the forms of law 
were exhausted ;' we think in my case that all the 
forms of law were outraged. When a Methodist 
minister can take such a stand, as the Rev. W. S. Tuttle 
took in this trial, and can find devotees to carry out 
his desires, it is high time for the laity to be aroused. 
There can be no safety, when a man claiming to be 
slandered, can, on the trial of the one accused of 
slandering him, sit as judge, and appoint the jury, 
and repudiate the l,aw8 of evidence, which have been 
established for ages. Who ever heard outside of the 
Genesee Conference, of a member of the M. E. Church 
being tried, and receiving a penalty, because he 
could not in conscience, pay the minister appointed ? 
Yet Mr. Tuttle stated that he had written to Bishop 
Baker, and had his sanction for commencing an action 
under this new rule. I am now satisfied that the 
worst construction, that can be put upon the language 
used by the Albion Convention — if it was not true 
then, is certainly true now." 

In tills trial, several reliable witnesses testi- 
fied that to their knowledge so-called "Regen- 
cy" preachers were absent from the Conference 
a day at a time while the evijience was being 
given in the case of Rev. B. T. Roberts. 

E. Sears, Thomas Jeffres and J. Grrisewood 
testified that at different times they heard dif- 
ferent preachers who voted for the expulsion 



214 / WE 1^ ANOTHER SECT. 

of B. T. Roberts say, that they did not vote 
for his expulsion because of the evidence ad- 
duced. The only reason any of them assigned 
was, because he undertook a defense of the 
Estes pamphlet. They heard seven different 
preachers at various times make this statement. 

Mr. Catton made so vigorous a defense, and 
public sympathy vpas so much stirred up in 
his favor that, strange to say, he was not at 
that time expelled. He was censured. Af- 
terwards he had another trial for ' ' contu- 
macy," and was finally disposed of with seven- 
teen others who, without their consent, were 
read out as withdrawn. 

Mr. Jonathan Handly^ of Perry, one of the 
solid, quiet, substantial members of the church 
for over thirty years, against whose moral 
and Christian character his bitterest enemies 
could bring no accusation, was tried for at- 
tending the Laymen' s Convention and expelled! 

We copy the following from the Olean Ad- 
vertiser, in relation to another who was ex- 
pelled for attending the Albion Convention : 

"James H. Brooks Esq., a resident of Olean these 
thirty odd years, a man of unblemished private char- 
acter, !a memiber of the jMethodist Episcopal Church 
ever since he was fifteen years old, a Christian of 
acknowledged worth and usefulness, and a citizen 
against whom the breath of cal umn y has never breathed 



JAMMS H. BROOKS. 215 

until now, has been expelled from the cHureh. This 
fact being announced, the inquiry is natural and per- 
tinent — " Why ?" This is just what we would like to 
know. 

James H. Brooks has grown up in our midst from 
boyhood ; his private worth is as familiar to our 
citizens, as a " thrice told tale." Generosity, integ- 
rity, honesty, and living piety, are eminent character- 
istics of the man. For the last twenty-eight years, 
he has been a member of the M. E. Church, and has 
contributed liberally for the advancement of Method- 
ism, and the promulgation of the Gospel. The min- 
isters and brethren of the church, have ever found a 
place at his board, and a welcome at his fire-side. It 
was indeed a truthful exclamation of the accused after 
his conviction, and was not contradicted by his ac- 
cusers, " my old mother sitting there, has given more 
meals to Methodists, than all the rest of this church 
together." 

The trial and expulsion of such a man, naturally 
produces in the public mind, a supposition that he 
has been guilty of some heinous offence, either 
against good morals or the peace of society, and that 
the proceedings were necessary to purify the church, 
and to warn the world against an unchristian 
example. 

We however learn, and are gratified in being able 
to say that such is not the case, that he has neither 
adopted a spurious faith, nor has been guilty of 
any heresies, condemned by the doctrines of his 
church, nor has he indulged in any impropriety of 
conduct, that would warrant under any ordinary 
circumstances, his expulsion from the church. 



21(3 WHY ANOTHER fiECT. 

In every human mind there is an innate sense of jus- 
tice which is offended and aroused at acts of oppres- 
sion and palpable wrongs. We confess we partake 
of the general feeling pervading this community, that 
a grievous wrong has been done Mr. Brooks. 

So intolerable did the oppressive acts of the 
dominant preachers become that the laymen's 
Convention, to which the Rev. Mr. Crawford 
alludes in his account of the Bergen Camp- 
meeting, was called. In the call, the Hon. 
Abner I. Wood, President, and the secreta- 
ries, Rev. S. K. J. Chesbrough, and W. H. 
Doyle, say to the members of the late "Albion 
Convention :" 

" Dear Brethren : At our session at Albion, we 
were authorized to call a meeting again in June. We 
feel that the difficulties among us demand such a 
meeting. Ever since our action at Albion, we have 
been misrepresented, and our characters slandered. 
No stone has been left unturned, either by flatteiy or 
threatenings, to intimidate many from the positions 
then taken. How many have been led thus to with- 
draw from us, we know not ; nor is it our concern. 
If any one feels duty thus calls him to retract, let 
him thus decide, and walk no more with us. We 
feel satisfied that not only a vast majority of those 
that attended still adhere to those resolutions, but 
many more who did not adhere, are now convinced 
that we have the right on our side, and to day are 
in sympathy with us. Important interests are at 
stake ; we feel the iron heel of oppression heavily 



EARNEST PROTEST. 217 

laid upon us as laymen. We feel unwilling to become 
the slaves of any power. Many of our beloved breth- 
ren, who acted with us there, have been tried for 
attending that Convention — some have been expelled. 
Let us meet together,and show to them that the cause 
is one, and when they suffer, we suffer with them. If 
our action there is to be the " war-note," and the 
moving cause of our decapitation or removal fi-om 
office, wherever possible, the time has come, yea, 
fully come, for us to stand firm and reiterate that our 
sentiments and our resolutions are still unchanged, 
and that w^e intend to maintain the position then tak- 
en, let the cost be what it may to us ; the fear of 
expulsion or removal from office should never drive a 
Methodist from doing his duty. 

We need also to reaffirm our undiminished confi- 
dence in our beloved Brothers Roberts andMcCreery, 
and our condemnation of the unjust expulsion of 
these brethren from the Conference. Let us, to a 
man, stand by them, they are worthy of our sym- 
pathy and our " material aid." 

We cordially and earnestly invite all our brethren 
who are in sympathy with us, and who are willing to 
act, to meet us in Convention at North Bergen, on 
the Genesee Camp Ground, Thursday, June 20, 1859, 
at 4 p. M., to take such action as may there be deemed 
advisable. 



CHAPTER XI. 

MORE PKEACIIEES EXPELLED. 

The next session of the Genesee Conference 
was held at Brockport, in October, 1859. The 
efforts made to kill the influence of those whom 
they selected at the last Conference to make ex- 
amples of, had most signally failed. These ex- 
pelled preachers had never been more cordially 
received by the people than during the year. 

The Buffalo Advocate and the Northern Ad- 
vocate teemed with inflammatory appeals to 
their adherents to crush out what they called 
the "Nazaritism" yet remaining in the Con- 
ference. The dominant party of the Confer- 
ence came together prepared to adopt any 
measures which their leaders proposed, to fin- 
ish the work of extermination which they had 
commenced. Their ill-feeling was intensified 
at the sight which they witnessed when they 
came together. 

In the outskirts of the village, in plain sight, 
and almost within hearing of the church. Fay 
H. Purdy, a well known evangelist of the M. 
E. Church, had commenced a tent meeting 
which was to continue during the session of 
Conference. * A large pavilion, capable of 

*For accouat of this meeting eee pages 128-131. 



P0WMR8 OF A CONFERENCE!. 219 

holding three thousand people, was spread. 
Around this were several rows of family and 
society tents. To this meeting were gathered 
a large number of intelligent, devoted, earnest 
Christians, who were stigmatized by the domi- 
nant party as "Nazarites." 

It was evident at the opening of the Confer- 
ence that extreme measures would be adopted. 
This expectation was not disappointed ; yet, 
the audacity of the majority in trampling upon 
human and divine law, exceeded the anticipa- 
tions of those who had the highest opinion of 
their capacity for wrong-doing. 

According to the constitution of the M. E. 
Church, an Annual Conference has no legisla- 
tive powers. It may execute such of the laws 
of the Church as may fall within its province, 
but it can make no laws. Nor can it give to 
any enactments of its own the force of laws 
by affixing to them a penalty. Its powers are 
executive and judicial. 

Yet this Conference, the second day of its 
session, passed five "resolutions" — the first 
four of which were aimed against fraternizing 
with the expelled preachers, and against 
' " holding in an irregular way, or in counten- 
ancing, by taking part in, the services of camp 
meetings, or other meetings thus irregularly 
held. 



220 war ANOTHER SECT. 

The last resolution provided, ''That if any' 
member of the Conference be fonnd guilty of 
disregarding the opinions and principles ex- 
pressed in the above resolutions, he shall be 
held to answer to this Conference for the 
same."* 

These resolutions were made a test in the ex- 
amination of character. Those preachers 
who would agree to be governed by these reso- 
lutions were passed ; those who would not, 
were put on trial unless they would locate. 

It is said that Bishop Simpson, who presided 
at this session, gave to these "test resolutions" 
his emphatic endorsement and support. 

In accordance with the spirit of these reso- 
lutions, Bishop Simpson ordered several 
preachers who had come from other Conferen- 
ces to assist Mr. Purdy in his meeting, to take 
no further part in it. Some obeyed, but Rev. 
D. W. Thurston, the presiding elder o^ Cort- 
land district, Oneida Conference, continued to 
labor in the meetings. Bishop Simpson called 
him before a committee and admonished him, 
but the admonition was not heeded. 

Under the operation of these resolutions, 
Rev. J. W. Reddy and H. H. Farnsworth* 
were located. Revs. Loren Stiles, jr., John 
A. Wells, William Coqley and Charles D. 

*Foi these resolations lee page 345 



TRIAL OF REV. L. STILES. 331 

Burlingham, not being wilMng to submit to 
this tyrannical assumption of authority, were 
expelled from the Conference and the Church. 
The charges against Rev. L. Stiles, Jr., were 
as follows : 

I hereby charge Rev. L. Stiles, Jr., 

1. With falsehood. 

In testifying in the case of B. T. Roberts, at the 
session of our Conference held at Perry, Oct. 6th, 
1858, that he did not receive or read the proof sheet 
of a document printed at Brockport, signed Geo. W. 
Estes, and entitled " N"ew School Methodism," and 
" To whom it may Concern ;" and, in the case of J. 
' McCreery, Jr., occurring at the same Conference, 
testifying that he did receive a paper purporting to 
be the proof sheet of such document — with an ac- 
companying note explanatory of its nature, and did 
read it, or a portion of it. 

2. With contumacy. 

1st. In receiving into his pulpit, and treating as a 
minister, an expelled member from this Conference. 

2nd. In going into the bounds of F. W. Conable's 
charge, and there holding meetings and organizing a 
class, contrary to the admonition of his presiding 
elder. 

J. B. Wentwoeth. 

The first charge was made simply to try to 

• blacken his character. But there was no show 

of proof to sustain it; and the majority were 

so far restrained that they voted this charge 

not sustained. God would not let even them 



223 WHY ANOl'HMR SMCT. 

affix this, stain upon His servant. Of tlie first 
specification under the second charge there 
was no proof whatever. It was shown that 
once during the year Rev. B. T. Eoberts was 
at a general quarterly meeting at the M. E. 
Church at Albion, of which Brother Stiles was 
pastor. One evening, after Rev. B. I. Ives 
preached, B. T. Roberts, by his invita- 
tion, exhorted. But in defence of this, it was 
shown that he had at that time drawn up in due 
form, a regular exhorter' s license ! Mr. Rob- 
erts was treated simply as an exhorter and 
nothing more ! He was not called upon to 
perform and did not perform one of the func- 
tions of " a minister !" 

This second specification was admitted to be 
nominally true. Holley, N. Y., is a large 
village between Brockport and Albion. There 
had been no Methodist society and no Metho- 
dist preaching there for a number of years. 
When I was stationed at Brockport, I occa- 
sionally preached by invitation at Holley. I 
went to Albion from Brockport, and still now 
and then preached in Holley — sometimes 
in the Academy, and sometimes in the Presby- 
terian church. After Mr. Stiles went to Albion 
he kept up these occasional appointments at 
Holley. The interest increasing, and souls 
getting converted, Mr. Stiles formed a class, 



eOIN& WHERE WANTED. 333 

which, we may add — has grown into a pros- 
perous church, which has built one of the 
finest edifices in the place. No objection was 
made, until after the work , of expulsion was 
begun, and "occasion" was sought against 
Mr. Stiles. Mr. Conable had no appointment 
at HoUey, and never had. His nearest ap- 
pointment was about three miles away. Mr. 
Stiles' appointment to preach was generally 
on a different day and hour from his. Mr. 
Conable had a small number of members — two 
or three — living at Holley. But they did not 
have him make an appointment at their place. 

It was not claimed that these members at 
Holley did not contribute, as usual, to Mr. 
Conable' s support. So that Mr. Stiles, in go- 
ing to Holley to preach, interfered in no way, 
either with his appoiiitments or his salary. 

It was not attempted to be shown that 
Mr. Stiles had violated any provision of the 
discipline. On the contrary, he read from 
the discipline — from the rules for a preachers' 
conduct: "You have nothing to do but to 
save souls : therefore spend and be spent in 
this work ; and go ^Iways not only to those 
tliat want you, hut to those that want you 
most.'''' This was precisely what he had done 
— nothing more — and nothing less. 

On such a charge, thiis sustained, the major- 



224 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

ity voted, to expel from the Genesee Conference 
AXD THE M. E. Church, Loren Stiles, Jr., — 
one of the most devoted, eloquent, gifted, no- 
ble-hearted men then in the ministry of that 
denomination. 

Of all the Methodist papers, official or inde- 
pendent, there w^as but one that spoke out in 
condemnation of this violent, illegal action. 
Yet a few years later, when Rev. S. Tyng, Jr. 
was mildly censured by the authorities of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, for preaching in 
the parish of another clergyman vsdthout his 
consent, the Methodist papers, with much 
warmth and zeal, condemned such an encroach- 
ment upon personal liberty ! Yet there was 
this difference : Mr. Tyng's Church had a 
plain law, forbidding the act : the Methodist 
Church had no law forbidding its ministers to 
do as Mr. Stiles had done. Mr. Tyng preached 
in the immediate neighborhood of an Episco- 
pal church. There was not a Methodist 
church or preaching place within three miles 
of the place where Mr. Stiles preached ! Mr. 
Tyng preached at the regular hours for ser- 
vice. Mr. Stiles preached generally on a 
week-day evening, when it did not interfere 
with any preacher — anywhere. 

Will the Methodist editors explain why it 
was wrong for the Episcopal Church to cen- 



REV. C. D. BURLIN&HAM. 335 

sure Mr. Tyng — and right for the Methodist 
Episcopal Church to expel Mr. Stiles from the 
ministry and the church, for the same act — 
when all the points of difference were in favor 
of Mr. Stiles \ 

CASE OF KEY. C. D. BXJELING-HAM:. 

We extract the following from : " A statement by 
C. D. Burlingham to the Genesee Conference, re- 
sponding to a charge and specifications, preferred 
against him by the Rev. D. F. Parsons. 

Beockpokt, Oct. 15, 1859. 
Charge, 'Contumacy.'' 

1st specification: 'In receiving an expelled mem- 
ber of the Genesee Conference, into the church on 
' t/rial without confession or satisfactory reformation.'* 

I received Benjamin T. Roberts on trial, in Pekin, 
Nov. V, 1858, in a general society meeting, pursuant 
to a unanimous vote, without his confessing the 
alleged crime, for which he had been expelled. 

My reasons for so doing are : 

1. I believe that there are exceptional cases, in the 
application of the rule of discipline referred to, be- 
cause if the strict letter of the rule must^ always con- 
trol in the cases of applicants for admission on trial, 
then it follows that an innocent person, who has been 
wrongfully expelled, can never be re-admitted into 
the church. If the " reformation," or moral state of 
the applicant is satisfactory to the administrator and 
the society, or if they believe him to be innocent, and 
he meets all the conditions of membership, his ad- 
mission, I judge is in harmony with the rule. 

I understand Bishop Baker to confirm this view : 



226 WHY ANOTHER SMCT. 

see Guide Book, page 159, paragraph 9. "When a 
member or preacher has been expelled, according to 
our form of discipline, he can not afterward enjoy the 
privileges of society and of the sacraments in our 
church, without contrition and satisfactory reforma- 
tion ; but if however, the society becomes convinced 
of the innocence of the expelled member, he may 
again be received on trial without confession ;" the 
principle in the conclusion, covering of course both 
cases, " member or preacher " in the premises. 

2. I believe that such admission into the church 
could not remove the ground of his appeal to the 
General Conference, because that body, I judged, 
could act in the case, only on those points submitted 
in the appeal ; he being responsible for his subsequent 
acts to his Conference, should the General Conference 
reverse the decision by which he was expelled. 

3. The next day after the expulsion, the appeal 
having been notified, the question of his admission 
into the church was discussed informally, by Bishops 
Janes and Baker, and the presiding elders. The 
point was not, can he be received by confessing the 
alleged crime, for of course that would remove the 
ground of his appeal ; but the question was, can he 
be received on trial, and not injuriously affect his 
appeal. Not one of those seven oflGlcers of the church 
took the position, that there was anything in the 
Methodistic law to prevent his being received. No 
one of them, who spake on the subject, was clear in 
his mind, he said, as to the effect of such an act on his 
appeal. Those aged and experienced presidmg elders 
— for some of them were such, — with the two Bishops 
were in doubt on the question, showing at least, that 



REV. O. D. BURLINQHAM. 337 

such a question had not, then, been definitely settled 
in the administrative rules of the church, as inti- 
mated by our president a few days since. 

Subsequently, Bishop Janes, as Brother Roberts 
informed me, when I first met him in Pekin, said to 
him, that he had not lost confidence in him, and that 
he could join the church again or words to that im- 
port, leaving that distinct impression on his mind. 

I put this and that together, and connecting both 
with advice from some eminent ministers, within and 
without our Conference bounds, and after receiving 
all the light then accessible to me, I received him on 
trial. A few weeks after, as per letter of Bishop 
Baker to me several months later, the Episcopal 
Board met at Chicago, and settled, as I understand, 
the principle of administrative law, that is to govern 
in such cases. This decision having been published, 
at least editorially, and announced by Bishop Simp- 
son, a few days since, we all now un4erstand it; 
though some of the younger members of this body 
have assumed, in their speeches, that they had under- 
stood it, even before they were admitted into full 
connection in the Conference, because they had read 
the book of discipline. But 1 confess that I was in 
doubt on the question, a year ago; and, having occa- 
sion to act in this case, with such light as dawned 
upon me, I did what I thought was right and proper. 

4. A fourth point in this argument is a case, per- - 
fectly analogous, in reference to the principle of 
receiving a person on trial 'without confession,' etc., 
of more than ordinary notoriety, that transpired 
within our Conference bounds. A prominent mem- 
ber was expelled. He appealed. The quarterly 



228 WHY ANUTHER SECT. 

conference, for some informality, sent tlie case back 
for a new trial. He was expelled the second time. 
Under the instruction and advice of the deeply ex- 
perienced presiding elder of the district — a man of 
profound erudition — this expelled person was re- 
ceived on trial, without confession, in a charge a few 
miles distant; and then took a letter and joined a 
new charge, nearer his home, without either changing 
his residence, or confessing the crime for which he 
had been expelled. This administration may have 
been correct — I do not know, because I do not know 
the whole case; but, if correct, it is so on the ground 
of my first reason herewith presented; and if cor- 
rect, then it covers in a moral point of view my act 
of receiving ' without confession,' etc. Of course, a 
wrong administration in that case will not justify a 
wrong one in another case. But when wiser men than 
I am are allowed thus to practice, without being 
treated as contumacious, surely I ought to have the 
benefit of such clemency. 

6. After I had learned from an authentic source — 
Bishop Baker — what was the Episcopal decision 
that would apply to this case, and might remove the 
ground of his appeal; after consultation with 
Brother Roberts, who has expressed from time to 
time a desire and purpose to prosecute his appeal, 
and with some eminent ministers who have the con- 
-fidence of the church, and who may act as his counsel 
in the case, I have obeyed the implied advice of the 
Bishop, and granted the request of Brother Roberts, 
by discontinuing his probationary membership in 
the same manner he had been received. The conclu- 
sion then, from these five points, each and all, is 



REV. C. D. BURLIN&HAM. 239 

summed up in few words: There is not — can not be 
— & shadow of contumacy, either in principle, motive ^ 
or act. I assert most solemnly, the purity of my 
intention and motive; and the character of the act 
is to be judged in the light of the points I have' 
made, especially the first and third. The first cover- 
ing fully the reception '■v^'ithout confession,' etc.; and 
the third covering the reception while the appeal is 
pending. The fourth point is an illustrative prece- 
dent, the benefit of which I am entitled to receive. 
The fifth point, in connection with all the others, 
furnishes evidence of not a perverse, but a teachable 
spirit, — not resistance to and contempt of, but sub- 
mission and obedience to the rules, and decisions, 
and authorities of the oharoh. 

Second Specification. — ' On giving said expelled 
member license to exhort, at the time of such recep- 
tion on trial.' 

On the recommendation, nearly unanimous, by the 
same general society meeting that voted for his re- 
ception on trial, and on the same occasion, I gave 
him a license to. exhort. 

As the discipline recognizes exhorters as members 
of quarterly conferences; and probationers cannot be 
members of a quarterly conference; I stated in the cer- 
tificate I gave him,that he was a probationary member; 
assuming thereby that a person, suitable in other re- 
spects to officiate in the capacity of an exhorter, 
might do so, before he, as a member of the church, 
could perform official acts, as a member of quarterly 
conference. 

My reasons, then, for giving him such a license, 
are : 



230 WHY ANOTHER HEOT. 

1. That he might, in a regular and orderly way, 
exhort the people religiously. 

2. I believed that he was really a probationary 
member in good standing, legally ; and the Bishop's 
opinion, given five or six days ago, confirms this 
view ; and, therefore, in that respect, there was no 
impediment in the way. 

3. And though the discipline makes no provision 
for investing probationers with official powers, except 
it be an implied one, perhaps, indicated by the words, 
'member of society.^ as required in the church re- 
lations of a local preacher, (discipline, page 42); and 
the words, " member of the class," in that of an ex- 
horter, (discipline, page 66) ; a distinction in wojds, 
in the two cases, implying, perhaps, we say, that full 
membership is required in the former case, but not in 
the latter. Yet the law of usage, — possibly founded 
on this distinction that I have noted — allows and 
sanctions, in some cases, such administration as mine 
in the case before us : Rev. Bishop H. B. Bascom, 
D. D., was authorized to exhort, while on trial. 

A leading member of the Oneida Conf erencej eight 
or ten years a presiding elder, says he has known 
many sunilar cases, several under his own adminis- 
tration. And some of the older members of this 
Conference say they have known numerous instances 
of the same, from the period of their connection with 
the church down through its administrative history 
to the present time. I have known several such in- 
stances. 

On these grounds, and not contumaciously, I gave 
B. T. Roberts license to exhort, in the form and man- 
ner I have stated. The idea of setting up my own 



REV. a D: BURLIN9HAM. 331 

private judgment iu this case, and my personal con- 
victions in opposition and resistance to the solemn 
decisions of the Conference, when sitting as a court, 
has never found its way into my thoughts or heart,to 
be cherished for a moment. My private opinions in 
this whole case are solely my own property, under 
God ; but my official and administrative acts in the 
case have been performed in view of my responsibil- 
. ities to the Conference as a judicial body, to the 
Bishop, and to the whole church. 

If my administration was incorrect under the first 
or second specification, or both, it is certainly not an 
error of the heart ; and surely, I ought not to be re- 
garded as contumacious because I am not wiser : I 
know I intended to do, and I thought I did, for the 
reasons stated, just what ought to be done, in view 
of all my responsibilities. 

Third Specification. — ' In attending and assisting 
in a so-called * General Quarterly Meeting,' held in 
Ransomville, some time in February last, within the 
bounds of the East Porter charge, and at the same 
time of the regular quarterly meeting of said charge.' 

On this specification; I say I attended such a meet- 
ing at Ransomvile, and the following facts will show 
that I did not do it contumaciously against the Confer- 
ence, nor contemptuously against the presiding offi- 
cer of the district, as implied in the specification : 

1. In the light of the statement presented, I re- 
garded Brother Roberts as authorized, at that time, 
to hold religious meetings where there was an open- 
ing, with the consent of the people and authorities 
of the locality ; and, therefore, under such circum- 
stances, I did not regard it as improper to be associa- 



232 WHY ANOTHER HECT. 

ted with him and others in religious worship. 

2. The Wesleyans had invited this meeting to 
their church; our people, as I understand, having 
neither church nor preaching appointment in the lo- 
cality. 

3. I never knew or dreamed, until this bill was pre- 
sented me, that Ransomville was in East Porter 
charge, having understood that it was in vacant ter- 
ritory, between Wilson and Porter, and about the 
same distance from Pekin, my charge, as from either 
of those places. 

4. The small pox was prevailing, to some extent, 
in our place, and our meetings were suspended ; and, 
under such circumstances our brethren deemed it 
proper to meet with other brethren in some locality 
where they would violate no church order, and be 
likely to do some good in the name of the Lord ; and 
I was with them a part of the time to do a little 
■work and to see what such people were doing, as 
then and now, I can say, I know but little about such 
jneetings from personal observation. 

5. This meeting happened to occur on the day of 
the quarterly meeting of the Porter charge. I had 
nothing to do in getting up the meeting or fixing the 
time, but I have good reason to believe the appoint- 
ment was made in ignorance that the other meeting 
was to be at the same time. When it became known 
that the Porter meeting would be at that time, it was 
too late to change the time of the other ; but, as I 
understood from brethren with whom I conversed 
knowing nothing of the localities myself then, that 
the circuit meeting would probably be held in con- 
nection with Youngstown, or at some point six or 



BEV. C. B. BUllLINQHAM. 3SB 

■eight miles from Ransomville. I judged the one 
■would not interfere with the other ; and, therefore, I 
attended said meeting. It was a source of regret to 
me that the two meetings were to occur at the same 
time, for the reason that, possibly, the Porter meet- 
ing might be in the eastern part of the circuit, in the 
more immediate vicinity of Ransomville, and it 
might be thought that this meeting was designed to 
interfere with that, which was not the case. Of 
■course, there is no occasion for me to stop and try to 
show that there is here no contumacy in spirit or act. 
I am not the man to interfere with the pastoral and 
gospel work of other men, in their respective char- 
ges. I generally have more than I can do nearer 
home ; neither can I knowingly and intentionally en- 
courage others to do what I would not do myself. 
Brethren, I have endeavored to notice and meet 
every point in the Bill ; and though I admit some 
little partiality fdr my client, I must say, in all can- 
dor, there is not, there cannot be, in your convictions 
in the case, the shadow of any evidence to sustain 
the charge ; that though all the specifications are 
nearly literally true, there is not in the case the 
slightest degree of contumaGy." 

To the mind of every candid person, this 
must be a complete defence. But the majority 
of the Conference paid no attention to it, and 
as they had the votes to do it with, they voted 
him guilty, and iniiicted upon him the highest 
possible penalty in their power — expulsion 
from the Conference and the M. E. Church. 
This was the limit of their ability. 



234 WHY ANUTHEM ISMCT. 

CASE OF EEV. WILLIAM COOLET. 

" ' I hereby charge Rev. Wm. Cooley with contu- 
macy. 

First Specification. — In receiving into his pulpit 
and treating as a minister an expelled member from 
this Conference. 

Second Specifi,cation. — In violating the wishes 
and requests of his brethren, as expressed by resolu- 
tions passed by them at this session of our Confer- 
ence against affiliating with expelled members from 
this Conference. J. B. Wextwoeth. 

Beockpoet, Oct. 14, 1859.' 

On the first specification, the defense said, " I 
admit that B. T. Roberts once addressed the people 
at Kendall village, and J. McCreery did once at 
"West Kendall, from the pulpit. We had a four 
day's meeting at Kendall; Brother Roberts came to 
the meeting, but not by my request, and exhorted 
once. I invited him to take part in the exercises, 
and to exhort. 

Brother McCreery came to a two day's meeting at 
"West Kendall. I did not invite him to come. He 
went into the pulpit and addressed the people, as he 
said, on his own authority. 

Rev. A. D. "SYilbor called. — I am Brother Cooley's 
presiding elder. I had a conversation with him 
about receiving expelled ministers. I inquired if he 
had thus associated with them. He admitted what 
he has here admitted, in substance; I admonished 
him. This conversation was since the commencement 
of the present session of this Conference. 

Testimony on the second specificAtion. — The de- 
fendant here admitted that he had preached at 



REV. WM. COOLEY. 335 

Purdy's camp-meeting, but had not taken jjart in any 
irregular meeting, as he knew of. He preached, before 
the resolutions of Conference were passed. 

Rev. R. E. Thomas called — Were you present at 
the *Nazarite camp-meeting down here ? I was. 
Did Brother Cooley take part in it ? He sat on the 
platform; he knelt and prayed. 

Rev. C Strong called. — I was present at Purdy's 
■camp-meeting a few times, as a spectator. Saw the 
defendant there two or three times. He appeared to 
be taking part in the exercises during the time of 
prayer-meeting or when a great deal of noise was 
being made, in what I should call the general halloo- 
ing and clapping concert. 

I did not see B. T. Roberts there at the time of 
the sacrament, but at other times. I sajv J. McCreery 
on the stand. I saw him come forward to the com- 
munion. A man I have heard called Purdy seemed 
to supervise this meeting. 

Rev. K. D. Nettleton called. — I was present a part 
of the time during the sacrament and tent-meeting. 

I was a spectator. Saw McCreery partake of the 
sacrament with the ministers. A man administered 
the sacrament, at the first invitation, whom Mr. Purdy 
■called a presiding elder of the Oneida Conference 
by the name of Thurston. Saw defendant and 
McCreery go forward to the sacrament. Saw defen- 
dant take part in. the exercises, and also expelled 
ministers. 

Rev. B. F. McNeal called. — I was present at the 
sacrament on Tuesday evening of this week, as a 
spectator. Defendant and J. McCreery were there; 

*Keferiing to Fay H. Purdy's Tent Meeting. 



230 WHY AyOTHJ^K SECT. 

I saw defendant, and MoC'reeiy, and a large number 
of ministers go forward to the sacrament, and imme- 
diately took my departure. A man they called 
Thurston presided at the sacrament. 

Cross-examined. — There were from twenty to 
thirty ministers present at the sacrament. 

Rev. A. D. Wilbor called. — The tent-meeting was 
not held by my consent, but against my wishes. 

Cross-examined. — I have given no public expres- 
sion to that effect. I did express my disapprobation 
at the preachers' meeting at Le Roy. The defend- 
ant was not there. I think the notice of the tent- 
meeting was published in the N^orthern Christian 
Advocate. I supposed the meeting to be held within 
the bounds of the Brockport charge. 

Rev. E. M. Buck called. — Was Purdy's meeting in 
the bounds of your charge ? Yes. I objected to this 
meeting to Purdy. I saw the notice of it. 

Cross-examined. — I have no personal knowledge 
that defendant knew of my objections to Purdy's 
meetings. 

Rebuttlnfj Testimony. 

Rev. A. D. Wilbor called. — I did not inform de- 
fendant previous to the commencement of this session 
of the Conference, that his course was objectionable. 

Cross-examined. — I admonished him the second or 
third day of Conference; it was before his character 
was arrested. 

Rev. A. L. Backus called. ^I received Joseph 
McCreeiy into the church on probation, the second 
Sabbath after the adjournment of the last Confer- 
ence. I dropped him the first Sabbath after the 
Bergen camp-meeting. 



REV. W3r. OOOLEY. 337 

Cross-examined. — I did not licen!>e him to exhort 
or preach, or any thing of that kind." 

Direct testimony resumed : 

" I did not give public notice that I had dropped 
him. I did report him dropped by name." 

Rev. C. D. Burlingham's testimony, taken in 
Brother Stiles' trial and admitted in this trial : ' I 
gave B. T. Roberts license to exhort, having first re- 
ceived him into the church as a probationer, which 
was the second Sabbath after the last Conference.' " 

Soon after Ms expulsion, the Rev. Wm. 
Cooley v^rote respecting Ms trial, the following 
notes : 

" 1. The second specification was added after the 
trial was commenced, and altered twice ; and at the 
suggestion of Bishop Simpson was most of it with- 
drawn, to prevent Brother Purdy's testimony, which 
would have made his meeting a regular one, because 
he had Rev. E. M. Buck's consent to hold the meet- 
ing when he did. 

2. Brother Roberts exhorted at Kendall in the 
forepart of the Conference year, and the presiding 
elder. Rev. A. D. Wilbor, was four times on my cir- 
cuit to hold quarterly meetings during the year, and 
had opportunities to admonish me of my great error 
in allowing Brother Roberts to exhort the people to 
serve God, and never passed a word with me as to 
this being an irregularity or wrong until the second 
or third day of this session of Conference. It cer- 
tainly looks as though the design was not to check 
irregularities, but to find some occasion against me. 

3. When my trial was nearly through, leading Re- 



238 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

gency ministers came to me, and said if I would 
locate, I might go out with clean papers, as a local 
preacher, to preach the Gospel. But I felt I had 
lived in all good conscience, and had done nothing to 
forfeit my Conference relations, and could not take 
any such responsibilities on myself. 

4. Great efforts were made by the dominant party 
in the Conference to get me to subscribe to the 
" Five Puseyite resolutions," passed by the Confer- 
ence, with the understanding that if I could do this, 
my character should pass ; but I could not ignore my 
manhood, and obligations to God to obey him rather 
than man, so much as to bow down to that idol, set 
up by men. So I was expelled, first from Conference, 
and then from the church ; but God has been with 
me every hour since, saving and keeping my soul in 
glorious freedom, and I am enabled to say, " But 
none of these things move me, neither count I my 
life dear unto myself,so that I might finish my course 
with jii)-, and the ministry which I have received of 
the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of 
God." 

" APPEAL OP EEV. JOHX A. AVELLS. 

To the members of the iNI. E. Church and all persons 
who respect the rights of humanit}- and religion. 

Dear Brethren: — Allow me to present to you a 
candid statement of the facts in reference to my 
expulsion from the M. E. Church. 

The Journal of the Genesee Conference for Oct. 
13, 1859 contains the following record: 

' Resolved. That John A. Wells be expelled from 
the Genesee Conference and from the M. ET. Church.' 



RUr. JOHN A. WELLS. 339 

The charges which furnished the occasion for the 
above action are as follows: 

' I hereby charge Rev. J. A. Wells with — 

1st. Contumacy — in recognizing as a minister, by 
admitting to his pulpit, and holding religious meet- 
ings in connection with B. T. Roberts, an expelled 
member from this Conference. 

2d. Disobedience to the order of the church, in 
going into the bounds of other brethren's charges, 
and holding religious meetings.' 

(Signed,) S. M. Hopkins. 

Dated, Bkockpokt, Oct. 1, 1859. 

It would be tame, indeed, for me to say that I am 
dissatisfied with the above action of Conference.- 
A blow has been struck at the vitals of Christian 
liberty. I do not feel that I am guilty of contumacy, 
or disobedience to the order of the churcli; neither 
if I were guilty to the extent of the siJecifications 
could I believe that the severest penalty known in 
ecclesiastical discipline ought to be inflicted on me. 
I now make my appeal to you, and hope to be re- 
ceived and treated in accordance with the verdict 
which your candor and religion shall render. 

I admitted on my trial, that I had permitted B. T. 
Roberts to speak in my pulpit ; and that I had attend- 
ed and took part in religious meetings conducted by 
him. Also, that I had preached in a few instances 
within the bounds of other brethren's charges. There 
was nothing material proved in addition to this. 

I showed in my defense, 
1st. That B. T. Roberts, since his expulsion had 
been admitted to the M. E. Church on trial, and 



240 Wlir ANOTHER SECT. 

licensed to exhort, and as such I had received him. 
Bishop Simpson had decided that an error or irregu- 
larity on the part of an administrator of discipline 
does not invalidate the title to membership of a per- 
son received into the church. So that Brother 
Roberts was legally and properly a member of the 
M. E. Church on trial. Whether his license to ex- 
hort given him by Rev. C. D. Burlingham, he being 
recommended to do so by the unanimous vote of the 
society at Pekin, was valid or not, according to the 
letter of the law, it was at least a good reason in fa- 
vor of my allowing him to speak. I could not forbid a 
man to speak in my pulpit who came with such recom- 
mendations. If there is contumacy in this, it must 
consist in a. refusal of absolute subjection to the will 
of the Buffalo Regency, and -not in resistance to the 
reasonable authority of the church. 

r showed in my defense, 

2. That not one of the preachers on whose charges 
I had preached, had ever by word or by letter, inti- 
mated to me that they were displeased with my 
preaching within the bounds of their charges ; and 
also, that my presiding elder had never admonished 
me never to do so. If I was expelled for that, it 
certainly was a crime that none of the men who 
claim to be injured thought enough of to speak to 
me about it, though months elapsed between its com- 
mission and the Conference. 

I contend that I am expelled from the Church for 
no crime whatever ; either against the word of God, 
or the Methodist discipline. In these things for which 
I was expelled, I have not violate<l my obligations to 



REV. JOHN A. WBLL8. 241 

God, nor transcended my rights as a Methodist 
preacher. 

I am not blamable in receiving Brother Roberts 
as I did. I received him and treated him as an ex- 
torter. It was not proved that I did more than this. 
His relation to the church, and the license which he 
held, fully entitled him, according to the discipline, 
and usages of Methodism, to all the respect which I 
paid him. But I had higher reasons than these for 
doing as I did. I had for many years regarded 
Brother Roberts as a devoted servant of God, emi- 
nent for his usefulness. I really believed that his ex- 
pulsion from the Church was only the result of hatred 
aroused by his faithful denunciation of sin, and that 
he was, in the sight of heaven, as much a servant of 
God and a minister of the Gospel after his expulsion, 
as before it. I could not do less than receive him. 
To have forbidden him to speak in my pulpit, would 
have been a sin against God that I would not bear in 
the judgment, for all worlds. 

2. I have not sinned in preaching within the terri- 
tories claimed by other preachers. Simply preaching 
the Gospel is all that I did. I was not charged with 
doing more. So that the solution of the question. 
Has one preacher any right to preach on another's 
territory ? will m.ake me guilty or innocent. The 
commission which God gave me is, " Go into all the 
world." I was ordained an elder in the church of 
God. Now if there is anything in our Church order, 
limiting my right to preach to one small charge,* 
and shutting me off from any particular place, let it 
be shown. In joining the itinerant ranks of Metho- 
dism, 'we, do so far surrender our right of choosing 



2« WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

our field of labor as to allow the president of the 
Conference to appoint where we shall preach. But 
we do not so surrender our rights that he, or any 
other power on earth can appoint where we can not 
preach. To make such a surrender would he treason 
against God. The_ discipline provides penalties for 
the preacher who refuses to go to his work, but it is 
nowhere made a crime to preach the Gospel off from 
his charge. 

I have forebome to speak for others who are my 
companions in the same tribulation, partly because I 
left the seat of the Conference before the adjourn- 
ment, and do not know ho-iy far the work of decapita- 
tion had proceeded, and partly because I prefer that 
they should speak fur themselves. The charges 
against eight preachers were nearly the same as 
those on which I was condemned, viz : contumacy 
and disobedience to the order of the church. 

The Conference, on the second day of its session, 
adopted a series of resolutions which amounted to an 
ex post foicto Imo, according to which every preach- 
er's character was to pass. Every preacher who was 
supposed during the year past to have violated the 
code contained in the resolutions, had his character 
arrested. No man could pass until he had testified 
his penitence for having violated them, (before they 
existed) and promised tc observe them in future. 

To what extent this persecution will be carried,the 
future alone can reveal. The majority of the Con- 
ference are evidently determined, by raising -tho mad 
dog cry of " Nazaritism," to drive out of the church 
all who have religion enough not to endorae their 
measures. What others may do I cannot tell, but as 



NORTHERN INDEPENDENT. -li-. 

for myself, I am yet firmly attached in heart to the 
M. E. Church. I" believe her doctrines and love her 
discipline. I have appealed to the General Confer- 
ence. I shall get back into the Church again if I can. 
Belfast, Oct. 20, 1859. J. A. Wells. 

Of these expulsions, tlie editor of tlie North- 
ern Independent spoke in brave, just terms 
of condemnation in an editorial of Oct. 20, 1859 : 

" THE GENESEE COKPERENOE. 

Last week we referred to the trials going on in 
this Conference, and expressed an opinion that they 
were pernicious. It is now our painful duty to 
record the result of these most infatuated proceed- 
ings. Up to the time of this writing, four of the 
best members of the Conference have been expelled, 
both from the Conference and the church. We have 
known ecclesiastical blunders before, but never one 
so great as this. We do not care to repeat what we 
have already said of these trials, nor do we wish to 
enter into the controversy further than to note what 
we think to be a very dangerous perversion of Con- 
ference authority. 

Every man of common sense knows that contu- 
macy is not necessarily a crime ; and hence if the 
defendant had been guilty of all that was charged 
upon him, there was no occasion for his expulsion. 
Contumacy is often a virtue. It may be a minister's 
duty to comply with the rules imposed by a majority, 
or it may not ; all will depend on the character of 
the rules — if right, he may keep them; if not right, 
he is bound to disregard them, or peril his soul. 
When Conference action is just and wise, it becomes 



244 WUr AyOTHSm f<E<JT. 

obligatory; but when it is unjust and foolish, the 
obligation ceases. Else an Annual Conference, be- 
coming perverse, might decree that all its members 
should abstain from praying, and the decree would 
be binding. As such a conclusion is absurd, we are 
obliged to reject the premises on which it rests, and 
hold that Conferences have power only so far as they 
keep to the right. So much for the merits of the 
case, even if contumacy had been among the things 
forbidden by the church. But the fact is, we have 
not, and never had any rule making contumacy a 
sin. It is not an offence, either named, or contem- 
plated by our discipline. It is a crime unheard of 
in the annals of Methodism — a miserable aping of 
the most questionable and dangerous perogatives 
ever exercised by secular authority. 

That a preacher may be expelled for ' improper 
tempers, words, or actions,' is true, and if the charge 
had been made for either or all of these things, it would 
at least have been right in form, and might have 
been tried on its merits. But a trial for contumacy 
is fjuite another thing, and altogether beyond the 
record. In making these trials rest upon this basis, 
■'J\o. Conference has, in iact, established a new law, 
and given sovereign power to every straggling res- 
olution that may chance to be passed. Not to obey a 
perverse resolution, would be very far from evincing 
'improper tempers, words or actions,' but it would 
certainly be ' contumacy.' Hence the unpardonable 
liberty taken in departing from the words of the 
discipline, and manufacturing this new test of char- 
acter. 

This style of administration assumes an importance 



NORTHMRN INDEPENDENT. 245 

far beyond the individual instances of decapitation 
which have already occurred. Acting on the same 
principle, the Genesee Conference, or any other Con- 
ference, has only to pass a resolution that no member 
shall take the Northern Independent, or act as agent 
for it, and the work is done — thenceforth, whoever 
gets a subscriber or receives the paper into his house, 
is guilty of contumacy, and destined to be expelled. 
Thus this unfounded assumption seizes upon the 
press, sweeps away every vestige of personal liberty, 
and makes the minority of the Conference the veriest 
slaves. It is true, the Conference has not yet given 
tha principle on which it is acting this particular 
application, but how soon it may, none can tell. At 
this session, the members have been forbidden to 
attend all meetings not regularly appointed, as will 
be seen from the third and fifth resolutions of the 
following series : 

'Resolved, 1st. That the safety and prosperity of 
a Church can only be maintained by a solemn defer- 
ence to its councils and discipline, as legitimately- 
determined and executed. 

2d. That we consider the admission of expelled 
ministers, whether traveling or local, to our pulpits, 
and associating with them and assisting them as min- 
isters, until they have, by due process, as described 
in the discipline, been restored to the fellowship of 
the church, as subversive of the integrity and gov- 
ernment of the church, directly tending to the produc- 
tion of discord and division and every evil work. 

3d. That we disapprove and condemn the practice 
of certain members of this Conference, in holding in 
an irregular way, or in countenancing by taking part 



346 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

in the services, of camp-meetings, or other meetings 
thus irregularly held. 

4th. That in the judgment of this Conference, it 
is highly improper for one preacher to go into 
another preacher's charge and appoint meetings, or 
attend those that may be appointed by others in 
opposition to the wishes of the preacher in charge, 
or the presiding elder. 

6th. That if any member of this Conference be 
found guilty of disregarding the opinions and prin- 
•ciples expressed in the above resolutions, he shall be 
held to answer to this Conference for the same." 

Referring to the resolutions, lie says : 

"These resolutions are well enough, considered as 
merely declarative or advisory, but regarded as the 
ultimate law of the church, they are a grievous out- 
rage on the rights of every member of an Annual 
Conference. Annual Conferences may advise, and 
may execute laws already made," but they are not law 
making bodies, and consequently cannot pass a reso- 
lution having the force of law. But if a man be ex- 
pelled for non-conformity to a rule made by an Annual 
Conference, then is an Annual Conference, in the very 
highest^sense, a law making body. An Annual Con- 
ference may expel a preacher for violating the disci- 
pline, but not for violating one of its own rules. 
Were it not for this necessary restriction, each An- 
nual Conference could make laws ad libitum, and the 
law making power of the General Conference would 
be a nullity. Surely, in view of the above resolu- 
tions, every Methodist preacher may ask, Have we 
an organic law ? Or, are we at the mercy of a bare 
majority, however obtained and however disposed. ? 



NOBTHEIiN INDEPENDBNT. 347 

If a simple Conference resolution is law, we are with- 
out a constitution, and in that respect worse off than 
a temperance society, or any other voluntary associa- 
tion whatever. It will be conceded by all, that an 
Annual Conference has no more ris;ht to make laws 
than a quarterly conference, and what would be 
Ihouglit if a quarterly conference should pass a 
series of resolutions, to be kept by all its members, 
tinder pain of expulsion ? Such a thing is unpreceden- 
ted, and yet would be quite as legal as the penalties 
threatened in the foregoing resolutions. 

Are we then, says an objector, to endure the evils 
complained of in the foregoing resolutions ? Not 
necessarily. There are other and milder remedies 
than expulsion. But even if the General Conference 
itself should make a rule prohibiting the things for- 
bidden by these Genesee Conference resolutions, we 
should doubt the utility of the measure. Some things 
are better for being let alone. Not many ages 'since, 
the civil law undertook to regulate religious opinion ; 
but after much blood had been shed to no purpose, it 
-was found that toleration was better than legislation. 
So also in the operations of Methodism, it may per- 
haps be found that forbearance is a better cure than 
law. 

It may be a sin, and a sufficient cause for expulsion,' 
to treat an expelled minister as though he were yet a 
minister, but our Churcb has nowhere affirmed the 
fact. All the discipline says on the subject is, that 
after an appeal has been had — mark that — a " person 
so expelled shall have no privilege of society or sac- 
rament in our Church, without confession, contrition, 
and satisfactory reformation." Here is the sum total 



248 WHY ANOTHER HECT. 

of the penalty to be inflicted, but none of it is fairly 
due until the appeal has been heard, for until then 
the trial is not ended — the case has not yet. reached 
the highest court. In civil law, the execution of the 
sentence awaits the action of the appellate court. 
We do not hang a man because the jury finds him 
guilty, but wait till the final hearing of the case be- 
fore the highest tribunal. Following this analogy, 
a minister expelled by an Annual Conference, is at 
most barely suspended, and though not eligible to an 
appointment, may, nevertheless, not be wholly ex- 
cluded from the courtesies due to ministerial charac- 
ter. It was this view of the case, joined with a full 
conviction of the injustice of the sentence, and modi- 
fied also by the fact of tbe actual readmission of the 
the expelled persons into the church, which induced 
treatment of which complaint is here made. What 
relates to invading other charges is too trivial for 
notice. 

These cases of expulsion will, no doubt, go up to 
the ensuing General Conference, where they are quite 
certain to be reversed, if they can be fairly heard. 
Some have intimated tbat the expelled brethren must 
be very cautious, and do all honor to the act of their 
expulsion, by remaining silent until their appeal is 
acted upon. We are glad that even in this respect 
there will be no little breadth to the question. If, 
after their expulsion, they labor on — not as Metho- 
dists, but as men — and do .what good they can, it 
ought not to be imputed to them as a crime, nor in 
anywise prejudice their appeal. They still have what 
God and nature gave them — the right to speak and 
to act as men and as Christians ; Methodism takes 



NORTHERN IWDBFENDSNT. 349 

away only what it gave. The gift of life, the divine 
commissioi!, and the assurance of pardon, are all 
from a higher source — a source over which Confer- 
ences have no control. 

We are convinced that a principle is involved in. 
the administration of that Conference which, if un- 
checked, must be fatal to Methodisna. Our Annual 
Conferences would be converted into so many petty 
tyrannies, alike injurious to men and offensive to 
God. Majorities would become simply machines for 
the extirpation of progressive sentiment. 

Since the above was written, we have received the 
following from Brother Roberts : ' A resolution was 
passed on Saturday against any of the members of 
Conference acting as agent for the Northern Inde- 
pendent.'' Now, we all know what such a resolution 
means in the Genesee Conference. — Every preacher 
who dare act as agent for us, will be expelled for con- 
tumacy. Thus the war has commenced openly. It 
will now be known whether Methodists are slaves or 
freemen. 

We give the resolution relating to the Inde- 
pendent, with the comments of one of the cor- 
responding editors : ( 

" 'Resolved, That we disapprove of any member of 
this Conference acting as agent for the Northern In- 
dependent, or of writing for its columns, or in any 
way giving it encouragement and support.' 

The above is of ' striking significance,' from the 
fact that the ' regency ' has recently put on General 
Conference authority, and has become a law making 
body. Every man who disobeys this resolution, does 



250 WHY ANOTHER .SECT. 

so at the peril of his ministerial office, and his mem- 
bership in the M. E. Church. It would be as clear a 
case of ' contumacy ' as any for which the brethren 
were expelled, to whom we have referred. The " re- 
gency," be it remembered, are legislators, jurors, 
judges and executioners, and wo be to any member 
of the Genesee Conference who shall be found in any 
way giving it (the Independent) encouragement and 
support.' 

Dr. Hibbard is in raptures over the ' extraordinary 
proceedings of Genesee Conference,' and especially 
over the passage of the resolution against the Inde- 
pendent. ' That was manfully said,' he exclaims, ' it 
ought to inspire all its sister Conferences,' etc. It will 
inspire with supreme disgust, all sister Conferences 
who are not steeped to the lips in pro-slaveryism 
and popery." 

Mr. Stiles, having attended the Methodist 
Theological Seminary at Concord, and having 
been about a good deal, one year stationed at 
Cincinnati — had a more correct idea than the 
other expelled preachers, of the justice to be 
looked for at the General Conference. He 
said it was of no use to take an appeal, and 
he should not waste the time and endure the 
strain of prosecuting an appeal ; for he had 
no hope whatever that the General Conference 
would do justice in the matter. 

He returned to Albion at the urgent call of 
the people. Members of the church and congre- 
gation, who " loved righteousness and hated 



REV. L. HTILE8. 251 

iniquity," rallied around him. They were so 
largely in the majority that, according to 
equity and according to the laws of the State, 
they were entitled to the church property; 
but they chose rather to give no cause of com- 
plaint, and "took joyfully the spoiling of 
their goods." His friends gave up the church 
property. With great expedition the people 
put up a large edifice for him at Albion, where 
he lived and labored, and died in the warm 
affections of the' community. 

He assisted in forming the discipline of the 
Free Methodist Church, and gave his hearty 
efforts to secure the election of its first Gen- 
eral Superintendent. 

He was of too sensitive a nature to endure 
the strain to which the indignities he suffered 
at the hands of the Genesee Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church had subjected 
him. 

He was taken dovra with the typhoid fever, 
and the disease assumed from the first a malig- 
nant character. He was greatly blessed in his 
soul when he was taken sick, and to this he 
often referred, even during the spells of de- 
liriiim. One evening, as we were watching 
with him, he thought he was in the hands of a 
secret society committee, and cried out, 
"Brother Roberts, I want you should go out 



252 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

and tell the committee that I am ready to die in 
two hours, or one hour, or even this minute. 
The Lord has greatly blessed me and I shall 
go straight to glory." The day before he died, 
he said to the physician, "All is eight." He 
grew gradually weaker, and, without a strug- 
gle, on the 7th of May, 1863 his pure spirit 
passed away to the realms of bliss. 

His funeral was attended by an immense 
congregation — ^the large church being filled, 
and hundreds standing outside, unable to gain 
admission. 

The Rev. William Hosmer, his fellow hero 
in the battle against all sin and wrong, 
preached an eloquent, impressive sermon from 
the text, " He endured as seeing Him who is 
invisible. — Heb. xi, 27. 

The concluding part of his sermon was as 
follows : 

" We have no words adequate to this occasion. He 
who lies before us, stricken down in his prime, was a 
living illustration of greatness produced by the pres- 
ence of God. He did and dared, as none do or dare 
who are not conscious of Divine aid. Eminent as he 
was, in intellectual ability, and surpassingly eloquent 
in his pulpit ministrations, he never forgot himself 
for a moment, nor appeared other than the most 
humble of men. Anxious only to do good, absorbed 
with the duties of his high commission, and admon- 
ished by the feebleness of his system, that his period 



SERMOir BY REV. W. HOSMEli. 253 

of labor miglit be short, he gave the world an exam- 
ple of self-abnegation and tireless industry worthy 
of an apostle. When the Genesee Conference with- 
drew its sanction from his ministry he felt no lack; 
God was still with him and he asked no more. 

Besides, the pressure which was upon him — the 
' woe is upon me if I preach not the Gospel ' — was 
much too great to admit of interruption from slight 
causes. His call was from above, and he well knew 
that men could not revoke it. Following the apos- 
tolic example, he preferred to obey God rather than 
man. With others of his fellow laborers who had 
been similarly maltreated, he entered at once upon 
new church relations of such a character as promised 
to help and not hinder his eflEorts for the salvation of 
men. Here he soon found that the things which had 
happened to him, * had fallen out rather unto the 
furtherance of the Gospel.' The Chief Shepherd and 
Bishop of -souls, instead of granting a discharge 
from service, had done for him what had previously 
been done for Luther and Wesley, namely, enlarged 
his pastorate by removing the trammels of ecclesias- 
tical authority. 

How well, how successfully, how self-oonsumin^ly 
he labored in the extended field thus providentially 
opened, you all know. You know also that amid 
the severe trials to which he was subjected, his re- 
putation was stainless — not even the breath of malice 
itself could soil a character so essentially pure. Mys- 
terious indeed that we come to-day to lay in the 
grave one so well prepared to live, one so rich in 
gifts, so useful, we had almost said indispensable — to 
the church and to his family. But the ways of God 



254 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

are not the ways of man ; and what we know not 
now, we shall know hereafter. We must not com- 
plain that his sun went down at noon — rather let us 
glory that it sunk in the full splendor of meridian 
brightness. That life which has afforded an oppor- 
tunity to do and to suffer so much, can not be re- 
garded as short, nor can that death which simply 
opens the gate of heaven, be considered as prema- 
ture." 

Charles D. Bniiingham, at the time of his 
expulsion, had been an effective preacher of 
the Genesee Conference nineteen years. For 
four years he had filled with acceptability the 
ofiice of presiding elder. He was a preacher 
of more than ordinary ability, original in his 
style, clear in his reasonings, and happy in the 
use of illustrations. He had labored beyond 
his physical ability, and was left broken in 
constitution, with a large, dependent family, 
and no means for their support. 

He was restored to the Conference by means 
which showed the injustice of the M. E. 
Church almost as forcibly as his expulsion. 
He continued to preach for fifteen years, yet 
never regained his former vigor and strength ; 
but seemed a crushed, broken-hearted man. 
He died in 1874. 

William Cooley had been seventeen years a 
diligent, faithful and acceptable preacher. He 
is a quiet, i:)eaceable, unoffending, upright man. 



THE LAYMEN'S CUNVENTION. 355 

He is a clear, Scriptural, searching preacher, 
and generally has had good revivals on the 
charges on which he has labored. 

He is now preaching in the Free Methodist 
Church in Iowa. 

Rev. J. A. Wells had been seven years a 
successful preacher in the Genesee Conference. 
He was a good, able preacher, studious in his 
habits, entirely given up to the work of God, a 
man of honest intention and unbending integ- 
rity. He is now, we believe, pastor of the 
Presbyterian church at Springville. 

The Laymen's Convention held its second 
annual session in the Baptist church, at 
Albion, Nov. 1st and 2d, 1859. Hon. Abner 
I. Wood was chosen President ; George W. 
Holmes, John Billings, Jonathan Handly, Ed- 
ward P. Cox and S. 0. Springer, Vice-presi- 
dents ; and S. K. J. Chesbrough, Stephen S. 
Rice, Wm. Hart and Thomas Sully, Secreta- 
ries. 

The Convention said : 

" When we met last year in Convention, we trusted 
that the preachers, whose course was the cause of our 
assembling, would be led to repentance and reforma- 
tion. But our hopes have been blasted. The Scrip- 
ture is still true, which saith, that 'evil men and se- 
ducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and be- 
ing deceived.' 

That we have the risht to take into consideration 



256 IVi/r ANUTHBli SECT. 

the public acts of a public body to which we are in- 
timately related, cannot be denied. That such con- 
sideration has become our duty we are well satisfied. 
Our Lord has given us the test, ' By their fruits ye 
shall know them.' What has been the fruits for the 
past year of the party in Conference, known as the 
'Buffalo Regency?" Have they been such as we 
should expect from men of God ? We are pained to 
be obliged to bear testimony to the fact that some 
occupying the place of Methodist ministers have used 
their influence, and bent their energies to put down 
under the name of ' fanaticism,' what we feel confi- 
dent is the work of the Holy Spirit. 

The course pursued by some of our preachers, in 
expelling from the church, members in good stand- 
ing, and high repute for their Christian charactei-, be- 
cause they attended our Convention in December 
last,we look upon as cruel and oppressive, and it calls 
for our most decided disapproval. What does the 
right of private judgment amount to, if we can not 
exercise it without bringing down on our heads these 
ecclesiastical anathemas ? To our brethren who have 
been so used, we extend our cordial sympathy, and 
we assure them that our confidence in them has not 
diminished on account of their names being cast out 
as evil for the Son of man's sake. The action of the 
majority, in expelling from the Conference and the 
church, four able and devoted ministers, and locating 
two others, upon the most frivolous pretexts, is so 
at variance with the principles of justice and our holy 
Christianity, as to cause minor offences to be aggra- 
vated, when they would otherwise be overlooked. 
The charge against each was the convenient one of 



LAYMMN'S CONVENTION. 257 

' contumacy.' The specificatiobs were in sufestance, 
the receiving as ministers those who were expelled at 
the previous session of the Conference, and for 
preaching in the bounds of other men's charges. 
Where in the Bible, or in the discipline, is ' contuma- 
cy,' spoken of as a crime ? It is a charge generally 
resorted to for the purpose of oppression. Let what- 
ever the dominant power in the church may be 
pleased to call ' contumacy ' be treated as a crime, re- 
ligious liberty is at an end. There is not an honest 
man in the Conference but may be expelled for ' con- 
tumacy,' whenever, by any means, a majority can be 
obtained against him. There is not a member of the 
M. E. Church, who acts from his own convictions of 
right, but may be excommunicated for " contumacy," 
whenever his preacher is disposed to do so. Let some 
mandate be issued that cannot in conscience be obey- 
ed, and the guilt of contumacy is incurred. The 
Regency party not only expelled devoted servants of 
God for contumacy, but did it under the most aggra- 
vated circumstances. An Annual Conference poss- 
esses no power to mal^e laws. A resolution with a 
penalty affixed for its violation, is to all intents and 
purposes a law. The Regency passed resolutions at 
the last session of the Conference, and then tried and 
expelled men for violating them months before they 
had an existence ! That any honest man can enter- 
tain any respect for such judicial action is utterly im- 
possible. The specifications were in keeping with the 
charge. The first was for recognizing as ministers, 
the expelled members of the Conference. The charge 
was not for recognizing them as Methodist ministers; 
for the expelled brethren did not claim to have au- 



258 WHr ANOTHER SECT. 

thority from the church. They acted simply by vir- 
. tue of their commission from God. If a man believes 
he is called of God to preach, and God owns and 
blesses his labors, has he not the right thus to warn 
sinners to flee the wrath to come ? At the second 
Conference held by Wesley, it was asked, ' Is not the 
will of our governors a law ?' The answer was em- 
phatic — ' no — not of any governors, temporal or spir- 
itual. Therefore if any Bishop wills that I should 
not preach the Gospel, his will is no law to me. But 
what if he produced a law against your preaching ? 
I am to obey God rather than man.' This is the lan- 
guage of the founder of Methodism. How it 
rebukes the arrogant, popish assumptions of some of 
the pretended followers of Wesley. 

The second specification was for preaching in other 
men's charges without their consent. 

Where is there anything wrong in this ? — What 
precept of the Bible, what rule of the discipline is 
violated ? Does it not evidence the faithful minister 
of Jesus, burning with love for souls, rather than the 
criminal deserving the highest censure of the church? 
Methodist ministers are bound by their obligations to 
serve the charges to which they are appointed by the 
Conference: hut they do not promise that they loill not 
preach \any where else. On the contrary, the com- 
mission from Christ reads, ' Go ye into all the world 
and preach the Gospel to every creature.' The dis- 
cipline says, 'You have nothing to do but to save 
souls; therefore, spend and be spent in this work; 
and go always, not only to those who want you, hut to 
those who want you most. Observe, it is not your 
busmess only to preach so many times, and to take 



LAYMEN'S CONVENTION. 2.ji) 

care of this or that sDciety, but to save as many as 
you can; to bring as many sinners as you can to 
repentance, and with, all your power to build them 
up in that holiness, without which they cannot see 
the Lord.' On this ground, were these men of God, 
as we esteem them. Revs. Loren Stiles, Jr., John A. 
Wells, Wm. Cooley, and Charles D. Burlingham 
excommunicated by the Regency party of the Gene- 
see Conference at its last session. Fidelity to God 
will not allow us to quietly acquiesce in such deci- 
sions. It is urged that we must respect the action of 
the church. But what is the church? Our 13th 
article of religion says, ' The visible church of God 
is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure 
word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly 
administered.' The ministers then are not ' the 
church.'' If ministers wish to have their acts respect- 
ed, they must, like other men, perform respectable 
actions. 

These repeated acts of expulsions, wrong as they 
are in themselves, deserve the stronger condemnation - 
from the fact, scarcely attempted to be disguised, 
that THE OBJECT is to i^revent the work of holiness 
from spreading among us — to put down the life and 
power of godliness in our churches, and to inaugu- 
rate in its stead the peaceable reign of a cold and 
heartless forrnalism. — in short, to do away with what 
has always been a distinctive feature of Methodism. 
If the work which the men who were expelled both 
this year and last, have labored, and not without suc- 
cess to promote, be ' fanaticism,' then has Methodism 
from the beginning been ' fana;ticism.' Our attach- 
ment to Methodism was never stronger than it is at 



260 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

present, and our sympathy and our means shall be 
given to the men who toil and suffer to promote it. 
We can not abandon, at the bidding of a majority, 
the doctrines of Methodism, and the men who defend 
them. 

The course of the Regency in shielding members 
of their faction, create the suspicion that a stronger 
motive than any referred to lies at the foundation of 
their remarkable action, — the principle of self preser- 
vation. It may be that the guUty, to prevent expos- 
ure, deem, it necessary to expel the innocent. Their 
refusal to entertain charges; and their prompt acquittal 
of one of their leaders, though clearly proved guilty 
of a crime sufficient to exclude him from heaven, 
look strongly in that direction. The recent public 
exposure in another Conference of one of the found- 
ers of the Regency party, who took a transfer, to 
escape from well founded suspicion, shows how a 
minister may pursue, unconvicted, a career of guilt 
for years, when ' sA^W^e(?' by secret society influen- 
ces, and willing to be the servile tool of the majority. 
— For the evils complained of we see no other rem- 
edy within our reach, than the one we adopted last 
year: — withhold supplies. To show that such a 
remedy is ' constitutional ' and ' loyal,' we have only 
to refer to the ' proceedings ' of the Convention of 
last year and to the authorities therein quoted." 

The Convention unanimously passed res- 
olutions expressing the utmost confidence in 
the preachers who had been expelled, assuring 
them of the sympathy of the people, and 
encouraging them to "continue to labor for 



LAYMEN'S CONVENTION. 201 

the promotion of the work of God and the sal- 
vation of souls, and added : 

■'That, in order to keep our people who are 
being oppressed by the misrule of the dominant 
faction in the Genesee Conference from being scat- 
tered, and finally lost to our church, we recommend 
our brethren in the ministry to gather our people into 
Bands, and to encourage them to union of action and 
effort in the work of the Lord." 

A committee was also appointed to prepare 
a memorial to the General Conference asking 
for a correction of the abuses complained of 
in the action of the Genesee Conference. 

A few weeks after this latme^'^'s convex- 
TioK was held, a letter was circulated among 
the so-called "Regency" preachers, encou- 
raging them in their policy. To the copy 
that has been furnished us, no name is append- 
ed ; but the author of the original is under- 
stood to be no less a personage than a Bishop. 
We do not assume to know, but we give a copy 
of the letter, and the reader can form his own 
judgment in the case. To us it certainly reads 
as if written by one who felt that he had a 
right to speak with authority. 

" January 3, 1860. 
Deak Brother : 

A happy New Year to you. * * My advice is 
decided that you should remove every leader, who 



283 V.lir AXOTH^R HECT. 

takes part in the Albion Convention, or any of a 
similar character. Do not be deterred by threats of 
difficulty, or of leaving the church. Better have no 
members than disorderly ones. The world is wide. 
Sinners are numerous. We will go with the Gospel 
to them, and God will give us fruit. I repeat then, 
by all means, stand firmly by the action of the 
church. JRemove every leader who arrays himself 
against it, no matter what may be his influence, or 
how great his usefulness, or how it may affect your 
congregation, or how it will result in the end. 

As to private members, I would do nothing while 
they do not engage in opposition meetings. But if 
they get up and sustain meetings for expelled preach- 
ers, or resist church action, I ^^'ould cite them to 
trial, after proper admonition. 

Let me again assure you, that the safety of the 
church is in straight forward action." 
Yours truly. 



CHAPTER XII. 

EXPULSION" BY THE WHOLESALE. 

At the Brockport Conference the most vig- 
orous measures to exterminate " Nazaritism " 
from tlie Conference, were adopted. 

Thomas Carlton especially distinguislied him- 
self for the violence of his denunciations. 
"These Nazarites," he exclaimed, "are like 
Canada thistles, you cut one down and ten 
will spring up in its place." But we will let 
Hev. CD. Burlingham describe his speech : 

" One* of their leading champions, whose efficiency 
in originating and perpetuating the Conference diffi- 
culties is unsurpassed, and from whose official posi- 
tion, decency if not dignity might be expected, while 
making, a speech, in the ' height of his argument,' 
exclaimed with a perfect yell, that he ' had rather 
meet a thousand devils than three Nazarltes' — that is 
to say, in the estimation of this minister of Jesus, 
and General Conference official, one Nazarite is worse 
than three hundred and thirty-three and one third 
devils! But this was said in defence of the church! 
Will not such zeal in her behalf be duly ajjpreciated, 
and coveted honors be conferred accordingly ? All 
such eloquence was met by the minority, as it should 
have been, by silent contempt. 

*Outline History, page 52. 



204 WHY ANOTHER tiECT. 

The chair very seldom saw proper to rebuke this 
kind of declamation." 

Inspired by such exhortations, and by the ex- 
ample of the Conf erence,and by the official letter, 
(published at the close of the last chapter), the 
Regency preachers went to their appointments 
determined to root out from the societies the 
uncompromising adherents of old-fashioned 
Methodism. We can give but a faint idea of 
their operations. 

On Kendall circuit was a number of Metho- 
dist families of more than ordinary intelli- 
gence. They had a clear idea of the doctrines 
and usages of Methodism. The doctrine of 
holiness had been taught and enforced, and 
many professed to enjoy the blessing, and hon- 
ored their profession by their lives. A preacher 
was sent from the Brockport Conference to this 
circuit to bring them to subjection. He had 
many difficulties to encounter,, but he faced 
them with a perseverance worthy of a better 
cause. Nearly all the officials and the leading 
members were opposed to the party to which 
he had gone over, and were in sympathy with 
the preachers who had been unjustly, expelled. 

His first move was to get control of the 
quarterly conference. This is easily done in 
the M. E. Church in which the quarterly con 
ference is substantially the creation of the 



JIODJE OF EXPULSION. 265 

preacher, who appoints all the leaders, nomin- 
ates the stewards, and licenses the exhorters, 
by whom it is mainly composed. He put in 
new leaders, and, in order to get more leaders 
than there were other members of the quarter- 
ly conference, he appointed two leadeis to 
one class. When the quarterly conference 
came together, he moved that the board of 
stewards be declared vacant. By the aid of 
his leaders he easily carried it. He then put 
in his own followers as stewards. 

Then the preacher moved that several lead- 
ing members who were known to stand op- 
posed to the crushing-out policy of the Confer- 
ence be declared withdrawn. This was also car- 
ried. In vain did these members protest that 
they did not withdraw, and did not intend to. 
The preacher read them out "withdrawn." 
Henceforth they were denied the privileges of 
members in the Methodist Episcopal Church I 
This was an improvement on the farce of going 
through the form of a trial. What need of 
witnesses when the verdict is made up before- 
hand without the slightest regard to testimony '. 
Why call a jury for the sole purpose of pro- 
nouncing guilty whoever the Judge arraigns i 
So, even the forms of justice were dispensed 
with, and by the most bare-faced despotism 
many were turned oiit of churches of which 



266 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

they had been the pioneers ; and from houses 
of worship which their own money had built. 

At East Otto, Rev. A. L. Chapin, expelled 
from the church, Dewey Tefft, NilesTefft, E. S. 
Woodruff and Otis Bacon, an exhort er. Mr. 
Chapin was one of the most violent adherents 
of the "Regency party." His admission to 
the Conference had been opposed by the sal- 
vation preachers on the ground that, though 
he had ability, he lacked religion. His zeal, 
fired by gratitude and revenge, knew no 
bounds. He called together the official mem- 
bers of the circuit. He made a flaming ad- 
dress — told them that the discipline knows no 
members who would not pay ; and with their 
aid he made out an assessment of what each 
one should pay, or meet the penalty of exclu- 
sion from the church. He assured them very 
emphatically, that if any one divulged the 
doings of that meeting, it would be consid- 
ered just cause for expulsion. 

He appointed a time when he would meet 
the class in the Tefft neighborhood. They 
came together at the time appointed. 

They had a plain talk all around. The 
Teffts were men of means, intelligence and 
courage. They had come to the country when 
it was a wilderness — had been familiar with 
wild beasts, and were not to be frightened by 



TRIALS AT EAST OTTO. 267 

the ravings of a preacher into acting contrary 
to their convictions. The whole class refused 
to support the preacher, except upon his 
' ' contrition, confession and proper amend- 
ment." 

Mr. Chapin called another official meeting. 
In it, the first thing he did was to demand who 
had published the doings of their last official 
meeting. Mr Bacon said he did not know who 
had published the proceedings, but he himseK 
had told one man what was done. 

Mr. Chapin, greatly enraged, shook his fist 
in his face, and said with great force, repeat- 
edly, " Who ever heard the like f Mr. Bacon 
replied, " I did not know as an official meeting 
was a secret association, but if it is, the 
sooner you remove me from it the better it 
will be for you." 

In the official meeting, it was decided to 
bring- the refractory members to trial. 

The work of exjpulsion was begun soon 
after. To the charges which had been usually 
made against the so called "N"azarites" last 
year, was added that of "taking and circula- 
ting the Northern Independent''\ In Mr. Ba- 
con' s case was added a specification of words 
used in debate in the official meeting — and of 
preaching in a remote neighborhood when the 
preacher forbade him. Mr. Chapin wished to 



268 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

punish, the people of that neighborhood for 
"contumacy," by cutting them off from all 
religious privileges. But Mr. Bacon would 
not assist him in his work of proscription. 

During the trial of Dewey Tefft, Mr. Chapin was 
so arrogant and overbearing that the manhood of one 
who came to the trial as one of his adherents, revolted. 
Rising to his feet greatly excited, in thundering tones, 
Mr. Scott demanded, addressing Mr. Chapin : 

" Who are you ?" 

" The grandson of Ethan Allen ?" replied Chapin, 
rising to his feet. 

" How mightily the race has degenerated," replied 
Scott. " You may be a smart man, but you are not 
smart enough to be judge, jury, prosecutor, and all, 
in one case. Now take your proper place and keep it. 
I want to see fair play." 

For a time the wildest excitement prevailed. 

The result of these trials, like all the rest of this 
class, being pre-determined, all who were tried were, 
as a matter of course, turned out of the church. 

Mr. Chapin in pronouncing sentence took care to 
add that they were not expelled for any breach of 
the rules of morality or religion — but for a " violation 
of our rules." 

At Asbury Church, near LeRoy, Rev. S. M. Hop- 
kins carried on the work of expulsion. 

Against Mr. Cyrus Sperry, one of the most substan- 
tial, upright of men, was prosecuted a long list of 
charges and specifications, covering over two pages 
of foolscap, taken from the proceedings of the Lay- 
men's Convention. He was expelled. Martin ^ee- 



SHORT MODE OF EXPULSION. 369 

kins, Hiram Huested, and Sylvester Near — all reliable 
men and Christians, were expelled on similar char- 
ges. Mr. Seekins was at work in his harvest field 
when he was summoned before the church tribunal to 
answer charges which were then first presented to 
'him. He asked a delay of one hour. This was re- 
fused. The next year Rev. J. B. Lanktop went to 
this circuit, and finished up the work. Mrs. Olive 
Sparry was expelled on a charge of " Contempt and 
disobedience to the order and discipline of the M. 

E. Church, by attending, and being interested in 
favor of a seditious meeting, on the 9th of August 
last at the meeting house, and voting for some or all 
of the resolutions there passed, which were violently 
rebellious against the discipline and government of 
the M. E. Church." The resolutions were to the 
effect that they would\ exercise their right as Metho- 
dists, of withholding support from those who, as they 
believed, had showed themselves unworthy of sup- 
port. 

Mr. Lankton expelled some fourteen or fifteen on 
substantially the same charges. 

On the Tonawanda and Ridgeville circuit, Rev. B. 

F. McNeal adopted the policy which had proved so 
successful in other places. He removed John Corliss 
an^ Anthony Ames, who had been class leaders for 
years, from their ofiice. At the next quarterly con- 
ference, the presiding elder. Rev. P. Woodworth, de- 
cided that Tristram Corliss, superintendent of the 
sabbath school at Pendleton, was not a member of 
the official board, because Tonawanda was the first 
society. They then created a board of stewards com- 
posed of those who would vote as the preacher dicta- 



370 WHF ANOTHER SECT. 

ted. On the following Suiday, the Rev. Mr. Mc- 
Neal without their consent, and without; any notice 
that he intended to do it, read out as withdrawn, 
Anthony Ames and John Corliss, leaders ; Tristram 
Corliss, Sabbath school superintendent; W.ll.Hecox, 
J. Hunt and Henry Kayner, stewards,and their wives; 
M. Folger and wife, and Mrs. Henry Pickard. 

On the Belfast circuit, Rev. J. W. Reddy, who had 
been forced to locate at the Brockport Conference, 
was tried and expelled on a charge of evil speaking, 
in saying that tlie Genesee Conference had expelled 
four of its holiest members for nothing, and also for 
disobedience to the order and discipline of the church, 
in holding separate religious meetings at the same 
time of the regular meetings in the church. 

When Brother Reddy was labored with on the 
■charges, he said that if he said these men were ex- 
pelled by Conference for "nothing," he did not mean 
to say so; that the meaning he wished to convey was, 
that they were expelled for no crime, but for stand- 
ing up for the truth and for earnest Christianity. 

On the 12th of March, the charges were stated to 
Brother Reddy, with the specifications, verbally ; 
and he was cited to trial in the same way, at the 
quarterly conference to be held the ensuing Saturday. 
He then asked for a written copy of the charges and 
specifications, that he might be able to prepare his 
defence. This was denied him by the preacher in 
charge, who said, that he could and would bring him 
to trial, without any written charges. After the re- 
ligious services of the quarterly meeting on Saturday, 
a copy of the charges was handed to Brother Reddy, 
and the Conference irnmediately met, (not in the 



SHORT MODE OF EXPULSION. 271 

church, as usual, but in the parlor of the parsonage, 
which was barely sufficient to admit the oSScial mem- 
bers, to the exclusion of the private members, with 
one exception,) and witliin half an hour proceeded to 
the trial. Before this, however, that the proceed- 
ings might be harmonious, four class-leaders, 
and one steward, who were supposed to have some 
sympathy with the accused, were removed. 

Brother Reddy was arraigned, and pleading not 
guiltj-, asked for an adjournment of the case, in or- 
der that he might have time to secure counsel, and 
prepare his defence. This request was refused. The 
form of trial was then gone through with, the ac- 
cused found guilty, condemned, and expelled. 

There were still left in the Genesee Confer- 
ence some who would not acknowledge the 
authority of the test resolutions. They were 
left without being called on to avow their de- 
cision, in the hope that the fate of others would 
frighten them into submission. The desired 
effect was not produced in all. In the winter 
of 1860 — after it was demonstrated that the 
General Conference would afford no relief — 
Rev. Asa Abell and Rev. C. D. Brooks and 
Rev. A. F. Curry, withdrew from the Genesee 
Conference and from the M. E. Church. 

At the Conference held at Albion, in 1861, 
complaints were made against Rev. Amos 
Hard for affiliating with those who had been 
expelled and those who had withdrawn. His 



372 WHY ANOTHEM SECT. 

health was not sufficient to enable him to take 
the responsibility of a circuit, but he was able 
to preach once on the Sabbath ; and he felt 
deeply for the salvation of souls and was anx- 
ious to do all he could to induce and help his 
fellow-men to prepare for heaven. He preached 
holiness — non-conformity to the world, and 
hence was not invited by the members of his 
Conference to preach but three times during the 
year. So he obeyed the discipline, and went 
to those who wanted him. When arraigned 
before the Conference, his friend. Rev. H. 
Hornsby, modestly ventured a few words in his 
behalf. The case of Mr. Hard was left with a 
committee to be investigated during the year ; 
and attention was directed to his friend who 
was so ' ' contumacious ' ' as to interpose in his 
defense. 

"You are in the same boat with this man !" 
exclaimed Rev. J. B. Wentworth, " and we 
will attend to you, and though your character 
has been passed it shall be reconsidered. 

A committee consisting of A. P. Ripley, J. 
B. Wentworth and A. L. Backus, was, on his 
motion, appointed to investigate the case of 
Rev. H. Hornsby. 

The committee in his case reported that at different 
times during the year he had attended irregular meet- 
ings, and officiated with expelled members of the M. 



CASE OF RBV. R H0RN8BY. 27a 

E. Churcli, and closed with the following resolution, 
viz.: 

"That he make open and frank confession of his- 
faults in the matters above enumerated, and that he 
promise to conform in his conduct and administration 
in the future, to the resolutions adopted at the 
Brockport Conference." 

The Conference accepted the report and adopted 
the resolution. This report was presented in the fore- 
noon, and he was called upon to answer to the reso- 
lutions. He told the Conference that he opposed the 
passage of the resolutions at Brockport, and refused 
to submit to them at that time, and was of the same 
mind now. Conference adjourned at noon, and in the 
afternoon session, his case had the floor. C. D. Bur- 
lingham and S. C. Church tried to get the matter dis- 
missed, but no ! Dr. Chambeiiayne, T. Carlton and 
J. B. Wentworth said no ! It was submission, abr 
ject submission, such as no man would give, much 
less a Christian minister. He told them from the be- 
ginning he should not promise to be governed by the 
resolutions, as he would not bend. A. D. Wilbor 
came to him and said, "Now, Bro. H., you seem de- 
termined to make the Conference come to your terms, 
-why not say yes, and it will be all right." 

It was after five in the afternoon when his case was 
sent to the committee for trial. At seven p. m. that 
evening, T. Carlton was appointed prosecutor. Mr. 
Hornsby asked for the charges, if he was to be tried. 
Thomes Carlton replied, "They will be furnished in 
time." Mr. Hornsby went at the appointed time. 
Carlton came at 7:20, and gave him the Bill of Char- 
ges. " Contumacy. In violating a series of reso- 



274 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

lutions." Fourth specification was " refusing to con- 
fess to his sin in contemning the advice of the Con- 
ference in his case." He asked to locate. " No," says 
K. D. Nettleton, " if Mr. Ilornsby should locate, he 
would he loose, and cause us more trouble than he 
has already. I think we had better go on with the 
case." He asked to be permitted to withdraw. The 
request was granted. The Conference did not know 
what the charges were upon which he was to be 
tried. It might infer what they would be, but they 
were never read in Conference. Neither did he have 
any time to prepare for trial. Common decency was 
trampled upon. Some of them seemed in a hurry to 
get him out. Some said, "He is a Nazarite all over, 
and may as well go now as any time." 

In Illinois the work began in a similar man- 
ner. 

In the fall of 1855, Rev. D. H. Sherman was ap- 
pointed to St. Charles. He found the church in a 
low state. During the winter, he held several servi- 
ces, with some success. At length the work came to 
a dead stand. In his extremity he wrote to Dr. 
Redlield, with whom he was acquainted, who was 
then laboring in Rochester, N. Y. Brother Red- 
field declined coming, unless he was invited 
by the official board. The board passed a res- 
olution inviting him to come. He came in April 
and labored until the first of June. Much good was 
done. Many were converted and sanctified. Some 
awful cases of iniquity were brought to light 
by his faithful dealing, such as theft, drunkenness 
and adultery. The following two years, Rev. Charles 
French was pastor. He invited Brother Redfield to 



AT ST. CHARLES, ILLS. 27r, 

assist him several times, but sucli was the unwilling- 
ness of a few prominent members to come to the 
light, and help along the work, that the Doctor 
thought nothing could be done, and declined. Broth- 
er French was followed by Rev. S. G. Havermale. 
Such seemed to be the spirit of the man, that the 
Doctor's friends thought the two could work well 
together. A jDetition, signed by a large majority of 
the church, was sent to the official board, asking that 
Brother Redfield be invited to come and hold a meet- 
ing. It was granted by a fair majority. But such 
was the opposition of the minority, that the matter 
was left with the pastor. He decided not to invite 
him, and informed Brother Redfield so by a line 
through the post office. In the fall of 1859, Rev. D. 
C. Howard was appointed to the charge. There 
seemed to be such a desire to hear Brother Redfield 
preach, as he was about to leave for the South, not 
only by a large 'majority of the church, but by the 
people outside, that Elisha Foot and J. M. Laughlin 
called on the pastor and requested him to invite the 
Doctor to preach. This the pastor refused. The 
Baptist people were at this time without preaching, 
and one of the Doctor's friends suggested to them to 
invite him to fill their pulpit the following Sunday. 
This was done and the Doctor preached to a crowded 
house. Arrangements were made for him to preach 
the following Sunday, During the week, some influ- 
ences led the Baptist people to withdraw their invita- " 
tion, and the Universalists offered their church. As 
it was now too late to withdraw the Doctor's appoint- 
ment, that offer was accepted, and the Doctor 
preached in their church. On Monday Mr. Howard 



2.76 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

appointed a committee to wait on the leading mem- 
bers of his church who went to hear the Doctor 
preach. This committee informed them that it was 
necessary to confess that they had done wrong, and 
to pledge themselves to do so no more. If they 
would not do this they could have their choice of two 
things: First, take letters in good standing from 
the church. Second, be expelled. 

The persons labored with did not feel that they 
had done wrong, and did not wish to remove from the 
church. That day Mr. Howard went, it was sup- 
posed, to Evanston to counsel with Bishop Simp- 
son. On his return, he reported that the Bish- 
op's opinion was that the oiEcial board was compe- 
tent to declare those withdrawn who had been to 
hear Doctor Redfield preach. Consequently fourteen 
were declared withdrawn by the official board Wed- 
nesday evening — one of whom was not a member of 
the church, and never had been, as the list of mem- 
bership would have shown. This was Sister Monroe, 
now dead. Five of the remaining thirteen were 
mere members of the board of trustees of nine. 

Doctor Redfield preached on Monday and Tuesday 
evenings, with great power, and several were convert- 
ted. When he saw the trouble that was to ensue, he 
ceased, and the following week started for the South. 

On Thursday evening these " withdrawn " persons 
were in their usual places at the church prayer meet- 
" ing, but were not allowed by the pastor to take part 
in the exercises. At the close of the meeting they 
were read out of the church. About fifty more asked 
for letters, but were offered letters of withdrawal 
which they refused. Hoping that time would make 



AT 8T. CHARLES, ILL. 377 

all things right, these persons the following week 
rented a small hall as a temporary place of meeting. 
J. G. Terrill, a local preacher from Elgin, visited 
them at this juncture, and was invited to preach ioi 
them. He consented. A revival broke out, in which 
many of the hardest in the community were convert- 
ed. It was found necessary to have some kind of an 
organization for the care of these, and a band was 
formed by adopting the general rules of the M. E. 
Church, with the exception of the one on slavery. 
In the meantime, the old society elected five trustees 
in the place of the ones declared withdrawn, and that 
in violation of the statutes of the State, which make 
no provision for vacancies in that manner. Besides, 
these persons so declared withdrawn, were the old, 
tried members of the church, men who had been the 
principal means of building up the church property. 

April 27th, 1860, these brethren were convinced 
against their hopes that there was no redress for 
their grievances, and organized themselves into an in- 
dependent church, with the name of Free Methodist. 
At this time they numbered 112 members. The five 
trustees declared "withdrawn" by the oflBcial board 
of the old church, were elected trustees of the new. 
They were Elisha Foote, John M. Sangle, Ira D. Ty- 
ler, Warren Tyler and Ephraim Collar. 

A friend, still a member of the old society, took the 
question to the Conference(th«IloQkRiver)in the fall. 
The Conference approved of the act of Mr. Howard, 
but declared against any such thing being done in 
the future. 

Near Marengo, 111., the entire Bishop family, con- 
sisting of five persons, were expelled for " neglecting 



278 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

the public worship of God at the Franklinville 
church, where they belonged." They went to Ma- 
rengo to hear Dr. Redfield, and labored in revival 
meetings at school houses in the region around. If 
their neglect had been from worldly motives, no 
notice would have been taken of it ; but as they gave 
their money and influence — not to fight holiness — 
but to promote it, they were expelled from the 
church. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

* THE APPEALS. 

In the Methodist Episcopal Church, the 
General Conference is the Court of Appeals, 
in the case of ministers. 

Of the General Conference held in 1860, 
large expectations were entertained. It was 
not doubted by the people at large but that 
justice would be done in the several appeals 
that had been made for their decision. At first, 
everything looked favorable. Fifteen hundred 
members had petitioned them to give to the 
Genesee Conference difficulties a fair, full, and 
impartial investigation, and to apply such rem- 
edies as in their wisdom they might judge right 
and proper. "When these petitions were pre- 
sented, the delegates from the Genesee Confer- 
ence professed to desire a rigid examination 
into all their acts. 

"We have done right," said Rev. James M. 
Fuller, "and are not afraid to have our con- 
duct looked into. We want the troubles 
probed to the bottom." At the close of his 
speech he moved that the petitions be referred 
to a special committee of nine, to be appointed 
by the chair ! 



380 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

As it was apparent tliat the object of this 
motion was to prevent an impartial scrutiny 
into Genesee Conference affairs, after an ani- 
mated, discussion it was voted down, and the 
matter was referred to a special comniittee, to 
be composed of one from each Conference, each 
delegation to select its own member. The 
committee was appointed, and the petitions 
and memorials were referred to it. All felt 
that the committee was an able and impartial 
one, and confidence was strong that justice 
would be done at last. 

A few days after this committee was ap- 
pointed, the E,ev. William Reddy offered a 
resolution authorizing this committee to inves- 
tigate fully the nature and origin of the Gen- 
esee Conference difficulties, giving them access 
to all the official papers, with power to avail 
themselves of any reliable information, at 
their discretion, 

This resolution was stoutly opposed by the 
delegates from the Genesee Conference. James 
M. Fuller denied the power of the General 
Conference to overhaul the papers of the Qen- 
esee Conference, or to appoint special commit- 
tees to pry into their proceedings. His Con- 
ference "would not submit, unless compelled 
to it, to any star-chamber investigations !" 
His tone was exactly the opposite of that which 



BUFFALO &ENFRAL CONFERENCE. 381 

he had assumed a few days before, when he 
doubtless expected to get a committee of a 
different complexion. He moved that the spe- 
cial committee be discharged ! He said that in 
politics he was a state' s rights man, and in re- 
ligious matters, he ' was a Conference rights 
man. 

■ Rev. Henry Slicer of the Baltimore Confer- 
ence, supported Mr. Fuller' s motion, in a vio- 
lent speech, of the plantation style. He talked 
about "star-chamber" proceedings, and main- 
tained the right of Genesee Conference to be 
let alone. F. Gr. Hibbard, W. H. Goodwin, 
W. Cooper of the Philadelphia Conference, 
and G. Hildt, of East Baltimore,^ spoke in the 
same strain. 

Dr. Peck moved the previous question. 
Debate was cut off, and the committee dis- 
charged ! 

It was evident to the dullest, that in the in- 
terval since this special committee was ap- 
pointed, powerful influences had been secretly 
at work among the delegates, in favor of the 
controlling party in the Genesee Conference. 
Suspicions of corrupt combinations were 
aroused in the minds of many. The memorials 
and petitions which had been referred to this 
special committee, were referred to the com- 
mittee on Itinerancy — a committee which had 



283 WHY ANOTHER 8MCT. 

all the routine business to do that it could well 
attend to; and it is doubtful if the chief me- 
morial was even read. Nothing that could be 
called an investigation was had, and the matter 
was given the go-by, as was doubtless intended. 
The action of the General Conference in an 
appeal case that came before it, from one of 
the Ohio Conferences, weakened still further, 
confidence in its integrity, as a body. A mem- 
ber of that Conference had been expelled, the 
daily papers said, for licentious conduct with 
nine young ladies of his congregation. When 
a knowledge of his guilt came before the pub- 
lic, he left that part of the state, and went 
into business. His presiding elder wrote to 
him to come back and stand a trial. He did 
so. Both were high Masons. This presiding 
elder was elected a delegate, we believe. Such 
was the reputation of this expelled preacher 
for his profligate manners, that though he had 
formerly been stationed in Buffalo, it was said 
that not a Methodist family was willing to re- 
ceive him. His appeal was heard, and he was 
promptly restored ! 

Meeting Brother Purdy soon after this decis- 
ion was announced, we said to him, ' ' There is 
hope for us. A W. has been restored." 

"O !" said he, in his peculiar way, "That 
won't help your cases any. A. W. has been 



COURT OF APPEALS. 383 

loyal ! He has not even liad family prayer or 
asked a blessing since lie was turned out. He 
has been loyal ! ' ' 

We endeavored to have our appeals come be- 
fore the Conference as a body. We knew that 
in .the selection of a committee, our opponents 
would have every advantage. They knew how 
the members in general stood affected in rela- 
tion to the issues that were between us. We 
did not. 

A Court of Appeals was organized. It con- 
sisted of one delegate from each Conference, 
selected by the respective delegations. The 
right of challenge for cause was awarded to 
both parties. At least two-thirds of the whole 
must hear each case, a majority of whom 
should decide it. Their decision in all matters 
coming before them was to have the same force 
as the decision of the General Conference, as a 
body. 

Before this tribunal our appeal cases were 
presented. 

My first case, in which I appealed from the 
decision of the Genesee Conference, reproving 
me for saying, in my article entitled " IS'ew 
School Methodism," what I do not say, was 
entertained. After hearing the documents read 
and the case presented, the committee were 
equally divided on the question of affirming the 



284 WHY AJYOrilSli SECT. 

decision of the General Conference! They 
stood evenly balanced in judgment whether a 
Methodist minister should, or should not, be 
held responsible for the perversion which his 
enemies might put upon his language ! In civil 
courts the Judge instructs the jury to give the 
prisoner the benefit of a doubt. In this religious 
court the Bishop decided that a failure to ac- 
quit was a conviction, and therefore the sen- 
tence of the Grenesee Conference must stand 
affirmed ! 

When the next appeal case came up, I began 
to exercise my right of challenging for cause, 
members of the committee. Two were set aside. 
I was not then allowed to challenge any farther, 
though I assigned as the cause, that those ob- 
jected to had published hostile articles against 
me in the papers. My objections were over- 
ruled. I have been credibly informed that it 
was the evident unfairness of the committee 
towards me in the outset that made one Bishop 
vacate the chair, because he did not wish to be 
a party to the wrong. A Bishop of strong pro- 
slavery proclivities took his place. 

Our opposers evidently felt that so great was 
the lack of evidence to sustain the charges on 
which they expelled us, that even this commit- 
tee could not be depended upon to sustain their 
verdict. Notwithstanding all their professions 



FINAL APPEAL. 2S5 

of a desire to have the action of the Genesee 
Conference reviewed by the General Confer- 
ence, they directed all their energies to prevent 
the appeals from being entertained. They had 
already secured the discharge of the special 
committee appointed to investigate Genesee 
Conference affairs. If now they could shut out 
the appeals, their action would stand unex- 
amined and unrebuked by the highest auth9ri- 
ty in the church. For every one that doetJi 
evil Tiateth the light, neither cometh to the 
light, lest his deeds should be reproved — John 
iii., 20. 

The efforts at suppression were successful. 

The majority voted not to entertain my ap- 
peal from the verdict of the Genesee Confer- 
ence, sentencing me to expulsion from the 
church. Why the same committee should 
hear my appeal from the sentence of reproof, 
and, a few days later refuse to entertain my 
appeal from the sentence of expulsion, remains 
among the unsolved mysteries. 

As~ their final decision was announced, I 
said, " I APPEAL TO God and the people." 

As the appeal cases came up one after 
another, the committee voted not to entertain 
them, with the single exception of the appeal 
of Mr. Burlingham. 

Bishop Simpson, who took a lively interest 



286 WHY ANUTHEB SECT. ■ 

in these proceedings, assigns as the reason for 
this action, "As they had declined to recog- 
nize the authority of the church, and had 
continued to exercise their ministry and to 
organize societies, the General Conference de- 
clined to entertain the appeal. ' ' 

These statements are kot true. We ha,d 
not declined to recognize the authority of the 
church. Our bringing our appeals was a rec- 
ognition of its authority. So was also the 
act of joining on probation. I do not know a 
single particular in which we failed of a pro- 
per recognition of church authority. 

We did not ' ' continue to exercise our min- 
istry." We did not perform a single function 
peculiar to the minister of the Gospel. We 
married none — we baptized none — we did not 
administer or help administer the sacrament 
of the Lord's supper. We did no more than 
the discipline of the M. E. Church says is 
expected of all who have "a desire to flee 
from the wrath to come, and to be saved from 
their sins," — manifested that desire, as it says 
we should, by "doing good" to the souls of 
men, " by instructing, reproving, or exhorting 
all we have any intercourse with." That was 
all we did. Was the Bishop unwilling that 
we should, when out of the church, make an 
honest effort to save our souls ; 



A FREE-SBATBD CBUROH. 387 

In one sense, we did not organiiie societies — 
in another we did. In the sense of a local 
ohurch, connected with, other local churches 
we did not organize any. But we did organize 
' ' praying bands ' ' after the model furnished in 
' the old discipline, and similar to the ' ' holiness 
bands" now becoming somewhat common in 
the M. E. Church. 

At Buffalo, when we went there, there was a. 
Free Methodist Episcopal Church in which the 
seats were neither rented nor sold. It was located 
on 13th street ; arid was owned by Mr. Jesse 
Ketchum, a Congregationalist, who freely 
gave the use of it to the Methodists. It was a 
mission — feeble in numbers and influence. Mr. 
Edward P. Cox, who was put in charge of the 
building by Mr. Ketchum, invited us to hold 
a meeting there one week day evening when 
there was no appointment. We consented. 
The presiding elder, and other preachers told 
Mr. Cox that if he permitted us to speak 
there, they would take away the preacher and 
the missionary appropriation. Mr. Cox was 
an Englishman, and was not to be driven in 
that way. He said "they could do as they liked; 
the house would be open for Mr. Roberts at 
the time." They were as good as their word. 
As common humanity would dictate, I looked 
after these deserted ones, held meetings in the 



288 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

^liurch, and many were saved. A free-seated 
church was needed in Buffalo, and had we 
been restored, the society would doubtless 
have been taken back with us. 

Mr. Stiles had formed a church at Albion, 
but as he took no appeal he had a perfect right 
to do it. 

But even if Bishop Simpson' s statements were 
true, they would not constitute a valid reason 
why our appeals should not be heard upon 
their merits. We were only claiming the rights 
that were solemnly promised us by the M. E. 
Church in its book of discipline when we 
united with it. In the very constitution of the 
church is an article which says of the General 
Conference : 

Thet shall not do away the privileges 
of our ministers or preachers of trial dy a 
committee and of an appeal. 

This prohibition is general. It does not say 
they shall not do it in some particular way, but 
they shall not do it at all. It does not say they 
shall not do it under some pretexts — but they 
shall not do it under any pretext whatever. 
They shall not do it by hostile enactments, or 
by precedents, or by arbitrary refusals to hear 
appeals. ^ 

The only condition contained in the disci- 
pline was in these words — "Provided, never- 



CONSTITUTION VIOLATED. 389 

theless, that in all the above mentioned cases 
of trial and conviction, an appeal to tlie ensu- 
ing General Conference shall lie allowed if the 
condemned person signifies his intention to ap- 
peal, at the time of his condemnation, or at 
any time thereafter when he is informed 
thereof .^^ There is only one condition here ex- 
pressed. No one claimed that this condi- 
tion had not been met. If there is any mean- 
ing in language then, a General Conference ad- 
ministering these laws had no right to refuse to 
allow an appeal. In doing, it, they violated, 
in the interest of wrong, the plainly expressed 
written constitution of the church. 

This law did not give a General Conference 
original jurisdiction over preachers. They had 
no right to try us, but our appeal cases. The 
question for them to decide was : Were those 
men fairly tried according to the discipline ? 
Did the law and the facts justify the verdict of 
the Genesee Conference in these several cases ? 

If we had violated the laws of the church 
after our expulsion, then the Genesee Confer- 
ence could, if we were restored, try us for such 
violation. 

Nor should our appeals have been injured 
by our joining the church again on probation. 
A few years previous to these difficulties, the 
Chautauqua Presbytery deposed a minister. 



290 WHY ANOTHER liECT. 

He Joined the Methodists ; after awhile was 
licensed, and preached among them several 
years. The Presbytery afterwards becoming 
satisfied of his innocence, restored him to his 
ministerial standing, though he was at the 
time an accredited minister of another denomi- 
nation. They told him they wished, as far as 
they could, to repair the wrong they had done 
him, and he was at liberty to remain in which 
ever church he chose. He went back to the 
Presbyterians. 

Concerning these appeal cases, the Rev. 
William Hosmer wrote : 

The General Conference assumes powers which 
■do not belong to it, when they make the right to have 
an appeal heard depend upon' anything the appellant 
has done since the decision from which he appeals. 

In doing this, they must first try the appellant upon 
his general conduct since his trial from the decision 
•of which he appeals, in order to determine whether 
his appeal shall be entertained or not ! But the Dis- 
cipline does not give the General Conference original 
jurisdiction over any of the ministers except the Bish- 
ops. They have no more right than Judge Lynch has, 
to try a preacher unless his case comes before them 
on an appeal, and then they must be confined to the 
testimony taken in the lower court. 

If the conduct of an expelled preacher pending his 
appeal, has not been correct, let him, if unjustly de- 
posed, be restored, and then he is responsible to his 
Conference for his actions while suspended. The 



/ APPEALS SHOULD BE HEARD. 291 

General Conference is authorized to try appeal cases, 
but not preachers. For them to undertake to do. that, 
is an unwarrantable and odious assumption of power. 

What does the right of appeal amount to, if the se- 
curity of its exercise depends upon the prejudice or 
caprice of a majority of a committee ! 

The appeal of Mr. Roberts should have been 
heard, because the majority was committed against 

him BEI'OEB ANY COMPLAHiTT WAS MADE OE CHARGE 
PEEFEEEED. 

There is nothing guarded with greater jealousy by 
the common law, than the impartiality of juries. A 
person put on trial before its tribunals, may challenge 
all day "for cause." Let it be shown that the jury 
had, by any acts, committed themselves before the 
trial, and the verdict would be set aside. 

The necessity of an impartial jury is as great in ec- 
clesiastical as in criminal trials — when character, as 
when life is at stake. The credit of religion, as well 
as the security of tiie individual, demands no less. A 
verdict obtained by connivance, or by partisan ex- 
citement, is none the more to be respected because it 
was rendered under religious forms, by men profess- 
ing godliness. 

It is well known that at the time of these trials, 
the Genesee Conference was divided into two parties ; 
— that this partisan feeling, which had existed for 
years, was wrought up to the greatest intensity — that 
at the Conference which instituted the first of these 
trials, the party opposed to the appellant for the first 
time became a majority, several of the opposite party 
having been transferred to other Conferences — and 
that it was by this accidental, excited and thorough- 



292 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

ly partisan majority that Mr. Roberts was tried. 
This being the case, and the trial resulting as it did, 
if there ever was an instance where the correctve 
agency of an appellate court was needed, that case 
was the one under consideration. 

If there is any analogy between an ecclesiastical 
court and a civil courE, then the necessity was even 
greater than we have stated, and so far from not en- 
tertaining the appeal, the court should have annulled 
the previous trial, and sent the case back for a new 
investigation, if a trial was judged to be necessary. 
But, admitting the validity of the action of the court 
below, we see not how it was possible for this appel- 
late court to refuse to entertain the appeal. The 
hearing of cases is not optional with such a court — 
an appeal always lies if the party appealing gives due 
notice of his intention, and is on hand to prosecute 
his claims. Not to entertain an appeal is, therefore, 
a palpable dereliction from duty ; and, in this in- 
stance, it was equivalent to saying that, so far as these 
expelled brethren were concerned, there should be no 
appellate court in the M. E. Church — thus practically 
annihilating one of the most important branches of 
our judiciary, and rendering it forever impossible to 
correct the errors of the court below. "Well might 
the appellant stand aghast at such treatment, and 
make his appeal to God and the people. The judi- 
cial infatuation which has rendered it necessary to 
transfer this and other like cases, from an earthly to 
a heavenly tribunal, we deplore, but cannot help. 
The deed is done, and, with all its appalling conse- 
quences, the record must go up to God. We have 
the satisfaction of knowing that we have not been 



N^BW TRIAL ORDERED. 393 

awed by authority, nor terrified by threats, into si- 
lence in the presence of such wrongs. The senseless, 
shameless cry of "Nazaritism," we fling back with the 
hearty contempt which it merits. Those who indulge 
,in this low style of abuse, should remember that there 
'are people in the world who are not afraid of slang, 
and who will not desert the innocent because malice, 
for the accomplishment of its own purposes, heaps 
upon them disparaging epithets. To defend the in- 
jured should be regarded as a virtue, not as a crime ; 
and whatever the meaning or the madness of perse- 
cution may inflict, we had far rather share it with the 
oppressed, than betray them to the clutches of a re- 
lentless tyranny." 

The action of the General Conference, in the 
case of Rev. C. D. Burlingham, was a stiU 
greater insnlt to Justice and to common sense. 
His case was sent back for a new trial when 
there was nothing to try ! But we prefer to give 
the comments of the Northern Independent on 
the case : 

"That the Court of Appeals, constituted by the 
last General Conference, did not do its work so as to 
secure either divine or human respect, is a conclusion 
forced upon us by every view we have been able to 
take of the subject. Gladly would we pass by these 
Judicial proceedings without further notice, if it were 
allowable, but they are of too serious a character, and 
will be found too far reaching in their consequences, 
to admit of silent acquiescence. Ecclesiastical courts 
are not famous for liberality and justice, but we be- 
lieve the courts of Methodism have not generally 



294 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

sunk to the level indicated by the trial of these ap- 
peals. 

First in order, was the case of Rev. C. D. Burling- 
ham. He was expelled from the Genesee Conference, 
and from the M. E. Church, for doing three things : 

1st. Admitting B. T. Roberts into the church on 
trial. 

2d. Licensing him to exhort. 

3d. Officiating with expelled preachers at a general 
quarterly meeting held in a Wesleyan church, at the 
same time that his presiding elder was holding a reg- 
ular quarterly meeting in the same charge, about 
three miles distant. Mr. Burlingham admitted the 
facts alleged, but pleaded other facts in justification. 

These were the only offences with which Mr. Bur- 
lingham was charged. 

After his exjjulsion, he waited silently for the Gen- 
eral Conference. He did not preach, nor lecture, nor 
exhort — did not attend meetings held by expelled 
preachers — but did penance up to the session of the 
General Conference. He should have been restored 
on the ground of having expiated his guilt, if, he 
were guilty of any ordinary offence, if on no other. 
When his appeal came up, Mr. Fuller, who has been 
chief prosecutor in all these trials, challenged several 
of the committee who had manifested a desire to 
have Genesee Conference matters fairly investigated. 
Though the General Conference, in constituting the 
committee, or Court of Appeals, had given to parties 
the right to challenge for cause, yet Mr. Fuller, af- 
ter the first instance, was not required to give cause, 
but challenged as many as he chose, and they were set 



REMABKABLB DECISION. 295 

aside. He simply said of the challenged, that " he 
considered them prejudiced." 

Mr. Olin, of the Oneida Conference, managed the 
case for Mr. Burlingham with consummate tact, and 
, great ability. His plea was a masterly effort, and 
carried conviction to the minds,we believe, of all who 
heard it, except the committee. They sent the case 
bach to the Genesee Conference for a new trial. This 
we regard as a remarkable decision. Neither party 
asked for it. We never heard before of a case being 
remanded for a new trial, unless there was some al- 
leged informality in the court below, or defect in the 
record, or unless one or the other of the parties 
■claimed to have new testimony which could not be 
introduced into the first trial. But nothing of the 
kind was intimated in this case. There can be no 
new testimony, for Mr. Burlingham admitted all the 
facts with which he was charged. 

Do these facts, mentioned above, constitute a crime, 
for which an able minister, of spotless reputation, who 
has served the church for over twenty years, devo- 
ting the vigor of his manhood's prime, in self sacrific- 
ing efforts to promote her interests, should be 
•expelled ? Then let the General Conference say so, 
that all who henceforth enter the Methodist ministry, 
may understand that they are expected to lay their 
manhood in the dust, part with the right of private 
judgment, and yield a servile,unquestioning obedience 
to all the behests of their ecclesiastical superiors. 

Was Mr. Burlingham, through party malignity, 
treated unjustly ? Was he wrongfully deposed from 
the ministry, and excluded from the church ? Then 
the General Conference should have restored him. 



296 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

This was due /to him ; it was due to outraged justice 
— it was due to the M. E. Church, whose discipline, 
confessedly more susceptible of abuse than that of 
any other church in this country, has been used for 
the purpose of inflicting ecclesiastical oppression 
without a parallel, in the nineteenth century. 

But the General Conference, through its committee, 
or Court of Appeals, after gravely listening to the 
testimony and pleadings, sent the case back for a 
new trial, without a motion to that effect, from either 
party. What, we ask, is there to try ? There can 
be no issue on the facts — these are admitted. 

But Mr. Burlingham contends that these facts do 
not constitute a crime for which he should be de- 
posed from the ministry, and excluded from the 
Church. 

The Genesee Conference has said that they do. 
Here is the issue — who shall decide ? The discipline 
vests the power in the General Conference — the body 
to try appeals. The case was properly brought before 
them, and they have sent it back, for the Genesee 
Conference to decide over again. What an absurd 
decision ! What an insult to Mr. Burlingham, and 
to common sense ! Suppose the views of law and 
justice entertained by the Genesee Conference remain 
unchanged, and the same sentence be again pro- 
nounced against Mr. Burlingham, and he again ap- 
peals. After waiting four years for another General 
Conference, if he still survive, there will not only be 
the same reason for sending the case back for a new 
trial as now, but the additional one of pi-ecedent. 
Thus, this mockery of justice may continue ad infin- 
itum. 



CORRUPT COMBINATION. 307 

This looks more like the tiger playing with the vic- 
tim he intends to devour, than like a body of Chris- 
tian ministers, bound by every consideration that can 
influence to right action, to 'judge righteous judg- 
ment.' 

Another fact is worthy of especial notice. Though 
the decision in the case was not asked for in court by 
either party, yet it is precisely what partisans of the 
regency party of the Genesee Conference have been 
endeavoring for months to persuade Mr. Burlingham. 
to consent to. These efforts were continued up to 
the morning of the day on which the appeal was 
heard. Yet neither in their pleadings, nor at any 
time while the appeal was being heard, did the coun- 
sel for the Conference signify their wish that the case 
might be remanded for a new trial. At whose sug- 
gestion was it done ? When was the suggestion 
made ? Was there any collusion in the matter ? It 
is impossible for us to answer these questions. View 
it in whatever light you may, the whole case has a 
dark and suspicious aspect. 

Perhaps some clue to an explanation of the strange 
proceedings in relation to the Genesee Conference 
appeal cases, may be found in the action had upon the 
slavery question. 

The Genesee Conference has heretofore been one of ■ 
the strongest anti-slavery Conferences in the connec- 
tion. The proscribed party have, from the first, been 
uncompromising in their hostility to slavery in the 
Church and in the state. 

The Genesee delegates to the late General Confer- 
ence were once regarded as anti-slavery ; what they 
are now their votes will show. We asserted last 



298 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

fall, that the Conference had become pro-slavoiy, 
and gave as proof the fact, that while it condemned 
this paper, it refused to take any action against sla- 
very. The trath of our inference was denied by 
some, but the recent course of their delegates has 
made our -words good. "When the important question 
was decided in the General Conference upon a change 
of constitution, so as to prohibit slave-holding in the 
church, the delegates of the Genesee Conference vo- 
ted against a change, and their vote turned the scale. 
And when the Genesee Conference matters came ujJ, 
tfie harder pro-slavery delegates voted solid with the 
representatives of the majority of the Genesee Con- 
ference. This may be all fair. It may be that men 
who, four years ago took the stump to keep slavery 
out of the territories, have suddenly become con- 
vinced that it should be nestled and fostered in the 
bosom of the church ! "We should like to know by 
what arrjuments they were converted, and when it 
■was dope ! Was this a part of a scheme to keep 
slaveholders in the church ? Did the border delegates 
understand that if they voted as desired by the Gene- 
see delegates, they would reciprocate the favor, and as- 
sist them in their extremity ? Or did this strange 
coincidence come about by chance ? 

How came tlie General Conference to take 
such, action ? It seems incredible that so large 
and respectable a body could be guilty of so 
great injustice. "\Ye answer : 

1. The charge of doing any specified wrong 
is not met by claiming or conceding general re- 

* 



BXPLANATIOmn. 299 

spectability for the body which did it. The 
Congress which passed the Fugitive Slave Law 
was a highly respectable body. President Fill-' 
more, who signed it, was a highly respectable 
man. Yet that law made every free man at 
the Worth liable to become a slave -hunter or a 
law-breaker. 

2. This General Conference had in it a large 
number of Masons and Oddfellows. When it 
is known before hand that the Secret Society 
question is to be made an issue, it is an easy 
thing for those belonging to these societies in 
the various" Conferences of the M. E. Church 
to send an unusually large proportion of their 
friends to a General Conference. 

3. In the discipline of the M. E. Church are 
important rules which the preachers not only 
openly disregard, but teach the people to dis- 
regard. On dress, their rule forbids ,' ' the put- 
ting on of gold and costly apparel;" — in prac- 
tice they generally put on both, — of ten beyond 
their means, — and many preachers defend the 
practice. In church building, the rule re- 
quired them to be plain and'cheap; — the prac- 
tice was to build as expensively as credit, — and 
means not unfrequently obtained by pew- 
selling and church gambling, would permit. 
The result of "holding the truth in unright- 
eousness" is the demoralization of the con- 



300 WHY ANOTHBR SECT. 

science. The law of present expediencj^ comes 
to be the rule of conduct. Policy takes the 
place of conscience. 

4. The General Conference at Buffalo was 
held just before the breaking out of tbe civil 
war. The ISTation and the Church were greatly 
agitated on the Slavery question. With naany, 
it was the great question before the G-eneral 
Conference of 1860. The Genesee Conference 
had for years been classed as a radical aboli- 
tionist Conference. The Baltimore Conference 
was considered on the point of religious expe- 
rience, committed to old-fashioned Methodism, 
but was at the same time the champion of the 
slave-holders in the M. E. Church. At the 
General Conference at Buffalo, the delegates 
from Baltimore and the delegates from Gene- 
see, when these issues came up, talked and vo- 
ted lovingly together. Herod and Pilate be- 
came friends. Baltimore helped Genesee to 
dispose of the "Nazarites;" and Genesee helped 
Baltimore to substitute for the rule against slave- 
holding, some good, but powerless advice. We 
do not say there was any bargain to this effect 
— ^we have no proof of it — ^but we do not be- 
lieve that at that late day the Genesee dele- 
gates were really converted to pro-slavery doc- 
trines. Kor do we believe that the border del- 
egates were converted to the religious theories 



AN ILL USTRA TION. 301 

of the Genesee delegates. They still invite 
Fay H. Pnrdy, who was called the ring-leader 
of "the sect called Nazarites," to labor in that 
section. 

The appeal cases were referred to a 
committee. Thomas Carlton had visited the 
Conferences as book agent, and was acquainted 
with the delegates generally. That he could 
exercise an influence in the selection of the 
Committee of Appeals is easily seen. That 
he would not scruple to do it is evident from 
the, case mentioned by Dr. Bowen, in which 
Thomafe Carlton bore a prominent part, as 
counsel for a so-called Regency preacher, ac- 
cused by one of the members of the church of 
gross, intentional dishonesty. Before the trial 
coinmenced, Mr. Carlton had the parties agree 
to abide by the decision of the arbitrators. 
Each party was to choose two, and the four 
were to choose the fifth. Mr. Carlton selected 
two preachers ; the other party, two highly re-/ 
spectable laymen. They could not agree upon 
the fifth. At length Mr. Carlton suddenly re- 
membered that he had seen on the hotel regis- 
ter, (it was at Niagara Falls), the name of a 
preacher from N^ew York. He would help 
them out. All agreed upon him. The case 
was heard and the preachers gave a most un- 
righteous verdict against the laymen. This 



302 ^YHY ANOTHER SECT. 

fifth man was afterwards found out to be 
Thomas Carlton'' s brother-in-law, whom he 
had brought there on purpose. 

Of the trxith of what is here affirmed there 
can be no question. Yet, in that case there 
was nothing like the inducement to unfairness 
that there was in the cases appealed from the 
decision of the Genesee Conference. 

As touching the effect of the action of this 
General Conference held at Buffalo on the sla- 
very question, we quote from the American 
Wesleyan, of March 27th, 1861 : 

" OFFICIAL EXPOSITION OF LAW. 

In the Baltimore Conference, recently in session, the 
following questions were proposed to Bishop Scott, 
and answered by him. We are glad that after 
so much evasion as has filled up the history of the M. 
E. Church upon the anti-slavery attitude of this body, 
we are at last ift possession of an official decision, too 
plain to be misunderstood. Here are the points — 
look at them ! A slaveholder can be admitted a 
member of the church,, ordained, and hold slaves for 
gain, and there is no discipline in the church by which 
to arraign him, or object to him. Can anything be 
more abhorrently plain than this ? 

The following questions were presented to the chair, 
and promptly answered : 

1. Is there anything in- the discipline which, in 
your judgment, would be a bar to the ordination of a 
local preacher holding slaves ? Answer — No. 

2. Anything in the discipline which, in your jndg- 



^ BMVIEW. S03 

ment, would operate against the admission of a slave- 
holder into the church ? Answer — No. 

3. Anything in the discipline that would justify an 
administrator in arraigning a slaveholder ? Answer 
—No. 

4. Is there any process authorized in the discipline 
by which a member can be brought to trial who holds 
slaves for gain 7 Answer — I know of no such process. 



CHAPTER Xiy. 

REVIEWS. 

In this chapter we will notice some points in 
Bishop Simpson's article on "The Free Meth- 
odists," which we have not referred to in the 
preceding pages ; and also the article on 
"N"azaritism," in Mr. Conable's "History of 
the Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church. 

In Bishop Simpson's article, the statements as we 
have numbered them, from 1 to 11, and also num- 
bers 13 and 15, we think have been, in the preceding 
pages, clearly shown to be untrue.* 

The Bishop says that the Free Methodists do not 

admit any members, even on probation, " without a 

- confession of saving faith in Christ," and adds, (12) 

" The reason alleged by them is, that much of the 
defection in other churches is due -to the fact that 
multitudes who have joined the church as inquirers, 
liave failed to pursue a strictly spiritual life." 

Where do the Free Methodists assign any such rea- 
son for such action ? They do not in their discipline. 
They never have in any Conference action. I never 
heard any individual among them assign any such 
reason. The reason they give is, that there is no war- 
rant in the New Testament for admitting a person 
into the church, even on probation, except on profes- 
sion of saving faith in Christ. 

*See Chapters II and III. 



REVIEW. 305 

Again we quote from the same author: 

14 " In its early history some of its leaders encour- 
aged a spirit of wild fanaticism, claiming the power 
of healing by the laying on of hands.^' 

Here are two untrue statements. The first, of en- 
couraging " wild fanaticism," we have met in the pre- 
ceding pages.* We have shown that such men as 
Drs. Reddy and Ives considered what the Bishop 
calls "wild fanaticism," as the proper m.anife8tations 
of spiritual life. 

As to "some of its leaders claiming the power of 
healing," this is also a mistake. None of them ever 
made any such claim. We acknowledge, with be- 
coming gratitude and humility, that in answer to 
prayer there have been among us some remarkable 
cases of healing — but nothing more than has taken 
place among true Christians in all ages. 

The most prominent person who has ever been 
among us, that we are aware of, who ." claimed the 
power of healing by the laying on of hands," or any 
thing like it, was then, and is still, we suppose, a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church! He was 
never a Free Methodist — much less a leader ! 

We notice a few statement of the Bishop, which, 
though in a sense true, are misleading : ' 

(a) " Became dissatisfied with the workings of its 
government." 

We never had any special dissatisfaction with the 
" government" of the M. E. Church. We learned by 
experience that it was capable of great abuse. We 
were dissatisfied with the administration — first of the 
Genesee Conference, and then of the General Confei-- 

*See Chapter vi, page 113. 



306 117/r ANOTHER HECT. 

ence, in expelling the innocent and screening the- 
guilty. 

ip) " They professed themselves to be moved by the 
Holy Spirit" 

No more so than Methodist preachers generally. 

(c) " In Church polity the name of Bishop was 
abandoned, and a general superintendency substi- 
tuted." 

Not merely the name, but the ordination and the 
life tenure were abandoned. The General Superin- 
tendents are simply officers of the General Confer- 
ence elected every four years. 

{d) " The conference organizations were retained 
as in the M. E. Church, and laymen in numbers equal 
to the ministers were admitted to each of these 
bodies." 

In the Free Methodist Church the lay delegates 
are not admitted to the Conferences — they, with the 
preachers, compose the Conferences. The lay dele- 
gates are elected directly by the members, and not in- 
directly by the preacher, through a quarterly confer- 
ence, which, in part, is of his own creation. We are 
not afraid to trust our people. 

(e) "The name of presiding elder was changed to 
that of district chairman." 

But the district chairman may have a circuit the 
same as other preachers. Presiding elders do not. 

(/) "They also require their members to be exceed- 
ingly plain in their dress." 

No more so than the discipline of the M. E. Church 
requires its members. 

We next call attention to the "History of the 
Genesee Annual Conference;" By Rev. F.W. Conable, 

Perhaps wo should say nothing of this book. 



REVIEW. 007 

because of the little notice that has been taken of it 
by the public. But as it has been indorsed by the 
Genesee Conference, and ordered to be placed in its 
archives for reference, it becomes possessed of an 
importance as a historical record, which, in itself it 
4oes not possess. Of its literary pretensions we will 
not speak. 

It is in its article on " Nazaritism " that we are more 
particularly interested. It is proper to say, in general 
terms, that its statement^, both original and bor- 
rowed, under the head of " Nazaritism," are wholly 
incorrect. We will notice in detail, a few of its 
false statements : 

" iTazaritism in fact, if not in name, originated 
with a few ministers .of the Genesee Conference — J. 
H. Wallace, B. T. Roberts, J. McCreery, Jr. and 
others." (Page 628.) 

This is incorrect both in form and fact. We 
have shown conclusively that there never was a 
•"Nazarite Society," or any thing corresponding to it, 
among the ministers of the Genesee Conference. 
That by " Nazaritism " he means what in other Con- 
ferences is called " holiness," is evident from his 
associating the name of John H. Wallace with it. 
John PI. Wallace had no relation with those expelled 
from the Genesee Conference, under the cry of their 
being " Nazarites," only, as before their day, he was 
a specially able advocate of the doctrine of holiness. 
Mr. Conable shows that he removed to Michigan be- 
fore the difficulties in the Genesee Conference began. 
He also bears witness to his great ability and useful- 
ness. But John H.Wallace fell, as other good men have 
fallen. So, to bring reproach upon the Free Metho- 



308 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

dist Church, Mr. Conable tries to associate John H. 
"Wallace -with its origin. John H. Wallace had no 
more relation to it than other men had who preached 
holiness before it was thought of. This, Mr. Conable 
well knows. 
Mr. Conable, says : 

" That Roberts and MeCreery and two presiding 
elders, were led on from motives of envy, jealousy 
and unchristian ambition in the endeavor to secure for 
iAemsetoes the ' chief patronage ' of the Conference." 

Does this man claim divine attributes that he is able 
to read men's motives ? 

This is not only false, but malignant, and foolish. 
Did not the two presiding elders already occupy the 
highest position in the Conference? They were 
placed there without any effort or desire of their own. 

As to my humble self, no man can truthfully say 
that I ever, in any way, sought position in the M. E. 
Church. I never asked, directly or indirectly, for any 
appointment. Mr. Conable never even heard that I 
did, I will venture to say. The whole statement is 
utterly baseless ! If I had then felt any ambition in 
that direction, it could have been easily gratified. 
After the leaders of the holiness movement were sent 
off — Rev. E. Thomas to California, and Messrs. 
Stiles and Kingsley to Ohio, I was offered, if I would 
leave the persecuted, holiness people, better appoint- 
ments than the Genesee Conference had to give. 
Though Mr. Conable seems ignorant of it, there is 
such a thing as standing by the right from no other 
motive than a desu-e to do right, and obey God. In 
speaking of the Estes pamphlet, Mr. Conable says : 

" The printer refused to testify as to the author- 



REVIEW. 309 

ship, and we have no law to oblige attendance at an 
ecclesiastical court." (Page 646.) 

Mr. Conable, and all of his indorsers who were at 
the Perry Conference, know that this is not true. The 
most unscrupulous, unless rendered desperate, seldom 
venture upon a falsehood so glaring. The printer of 
the Estes pamphlet was present at my trial! One of the 
preachers opposed to me, took him there and back, 
about seventy miles across the country in a carriage. 
They did not call upon him to testify. 

Mr. H. N. Beach, editor of the Broolcport Repub- 
lic, the gentleman referred to, in a note to us, says : 

"Rev. E. M. Buck got me to go to Perry in the 
case, at the time of the Conference; but I was not 
called to testify, because, I suppose, my evidence was 
not what was wanted." 

Thus Mr. Conable crowds two known, great false- 
hoods into one short sentence. 1st. The printer did 
attend the court. 2d. He did not refuse to testify ! 
And such statements are voted into the archives of 
the Genesee Conference as history, by men who know 
that there is not one word of truth in them ! 

In speaking of my trial, Mr. Conable says : 

" The chief effort of Mr. Roberts in his protracted 

defense, was to convince the public — not that he had 

not written and circulated such allegations as were 

( charged against hira, but that the allegations were 

really true." — Page 64V. 

For this assertion Mr. Conable has no apology. 
He and his indorsers well know it is false. That I 
did not write the Estes pamphlet, I proved to the 
Conference in the most conclusive way that a man 
can prove he did not write any document, — by the 



310 WHY ANOTHER SECT. 

testimony of the real, avowed author, that he liimself 
■wrote it. 

■ George Estes testified to the Conference : " Brother 
Roberts dad nothixg to do with the writing of the 
part that hears my name.'''' 

Again, Mr. Conable says that the defendant had 
been 

"According to his own public admission, granted 
every possible appliance for his aid, and defense, 
consistent with the discipline of the church." — Page 
€48. 

This man seems utterly incapable of telling the 
truth about these matters ! He knows that nearly 
two whole sessions were employed in my trying to 
obtain, and my opposers trying to prevent me from 
obtaining, either a change of venue, or a trial by a 
committee ! He knows that I was refused the aid of 
the counsel I asked for ! 

In my closing plea, I thanked Bishop Janes for the 
able and impartial manner in which he had presided, 
and for the kind spirit he had manifested ; but that 
does not warrant the above assertion. Yet it is all 
he has to make it out of 

Again, Mr. Conable says : 

" Tlie charges and specifications were voted sus- 
tained, by not far Irom two to one." — Page 048. 

The minutes and Conference roll for that year show 
that there were one hundred and sixteen preachers 
in full connection in the Conference, at that time. Of 
these, fifty-four voted against me, and thirty-four for 
me, leaving a clear majority who did not vote to sus- 
tain the charges. 

Some were terrified to that degree they did not 



BEVIMW. 311 

•dare to vote for me — and they had too much con- 
scierrce left to vote against me. 

Mr. Conable says : 

" Strange and fraudulent metliods were employed 
to deprive presiding elders and regular pastors of 
their support." — Page 650. 

What he means by this accusation, I cannot imag- 
ine. Many refused to pay "presiding elders and 
regular pastors," who had participated in the wicked 
acts of the majority. But in this there was nothing 
" strange or fraudulent." The " strange " part was 
that any honest man would help support any of them. 

Mr. Conable, in apologizing for those he calls 
" loyal preachers," says : 

" A few of them in their zeal in opposition to Naz- 
aritism, and in order to the preservation of church 
■order, overstepped the Imes of administrative pro- 
priety a little, if not more, for which they suffered 
arrest and correction at the Conference." page 655. 

The "arrest and coiTection" part is a piece of news, 
and we strongly susjDect, a fabrication. 

Again he says : 

" One or more preachers in charge had illegally de- 
clared several members, Nazarites, withdrawn. This 
being reported to Conference by the parties deeming 
themselves injured, made some work." — Page 655. 

What work ? The members were kept out, and 
the preachers were passed all right. 

Mr. Conable says : 

" Charges, in some instances of a gross character, 
were preferred against one or more of the Presiding 
Elders and some other ])reachers at Conference, which 
could not be sustained !" (Page 655.) 

Why could not these charges of "a gross charac- 
ter " be sustained ? It was not for want of proof. 



313 WIfY ANOTHER HECT. 

abundant, clear, conclusive, and of the highest order. 
It was for want of a disposition to do right, on the 
part of the majority. So they would not entertain 
most of these charges, or even hear a statement of 
the several cases, but promptly voted to lay the vihole 
matter on the table. For the nature of some of these 
grave charges see pages 143-146 of this book. 
Mr. Conable says : 

" Roberts and Stiles united their fortunes in the se- 
cession movement, leading to the organization of 
"The Free Methodist Church." (Page 660.) 

What ! drive men out of a church, after their most 
earnest efforts to stay in, and then call it a "secession 
movement !" Does this man take it for granted that 
his readers have not common sense ? 

Again he says, same page : 

" Which should be the greatest was a question, but 
the career of Stiles was short, as, early after building 
their church at Albion, and effecting a permanent 
church organization, he was called away by death. 
Roberts became " General Superintendent " of the 
Free Church, as such, of course, claiming ordaining 
authority." 

There never was any question " which should be 
the greatest." None more gratefully and cordially 
than B. T. Roberts acknowledged the correctness of 
the popular verdict, that Loren Stiles was one of the 
greatest preachers in Vi'^estern New York. 

Mr. Stiles nominated Rev. B. T. Roberts ior 
General Superintendent of the Free Methodist church, 
the first time he was elected to that office, and the 
vote for it was quite unanimous. The Superintendent 
did not " claim ordaining authority," whatever that 



RBVIEW. 313 

may mean. The discipline made it his duty to ordain 
those elected by an Annual Conference. 

Cqnable says: " As to J. A. Wells, li6 lost confi- 
dence in B. T. Roberts." — Page 660. Where did 
Mr. Conable get this information? A man may join 
another denomination for other reasons than a loss of 
confidence. Mr. Wells, in a letter before us, says he 
" did not lose confidence in B. T. Roberts." 

Of the Bergen Camp Ground, Mr. Conable says : 

" The Bergen Camp Ground charter was changed 
by application to the legislature, and the clause which 
gave the Methodist Episcopal Churc'h any control or 
supervision over the grounds, or meetings held there, 
was stricken out. This arrangement, however, to 
secure the Camp Ground to Nazarite uses, did not 
hold very long, as in due time, under the sanction of 
the Conference, measures were instituted which were 
successful in securmg the same, according to the 
forms of law, to the Genesee Camp Ground Associa- 
tion, for the ownership and use of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in harmony with disciplinary pro- 
visions and church usage." 

We will show what these " successful measures " 
were, and in so doing will give a brief history of this 
Camp Ground. 

1. I made a bargain for the ground — twenty-five 
acres, intending to use it for a camp ground, if we 
could raise the money to pay for it. Meeting with 
encouragement, B- T. Roberts and Loren Stiles took 
a contract for the land. May 8th, 1856. On the 11th 
of July, 1856, it was deeded, by absolute conveyan- 
ce, to Asa Abel, Benjamin T. Roberts, and Asa Allis. 

2. The following winter I drew up the charter of 
" The Genesee Camp Ground Association," went to 



314 Wlir ANOTHER SECT. 

Albany, and got it passed by the legislature. To 
this Association, we deeded the ground in trust. 

3. After' they began to expel the camp-.iieeting 
people, we got the charter amended. 

4. The so called Regency party, beld a camp-meet- 
ing on that ground after they had turned us out of 
the church. The trustees, all of whom but one be- 
came Free Methodists, made no opposition, but hoped 
it would do them good. But they assumed judicial 
jjowers and declared that those trustees who were not 
members of the M. E. Church were not legal trustees. 
Yet the law made no such qualifications for trustees. 
After declaring a vacancy they went on to elect them- 
selves to the vacancy. 

5. Having thus gained possession, they threatened 
us with a law suit if we went* on the ground to hold 
any more meetings. We appointed no meetings for 
a few years, hoping to fairly settle the matter. AVe 
made them the following offers: 

(1). "We would hold the ground and let them hold 
camp meetings there whenever they wished, free of 
charge. 

(2). Or they might hold the ground, and let us 
hold -meetings when we wished. 

(3). Or we would sell the ground and divide the 
proceeds among the two churches, in the proportion 
we had paid. Those who became Free Methodists 
had paid about two-thirds of the price of the ground. 

All these offers they rejected. 

6. To keep possession, they held sham camp-meet- 
ings for the election of trustees. At one time they 
had but one 'tent, — a canvass thrown over a i)ole. 



BEVIMW. 315 

Preachers, from the stand, preached to an audience 
seated in the stand. 

7. "We appointed a camp-meeting to be held there 
in June, 1867. They got out an injunction. We 
heard of it, and went to anotlier ground with the 
meeting. The third day of the meeting, the Sheriif 
served the writ of injunction upon " B. T. Roberts, and 
all associated with hiip." The Sheriff was doubtless 
instructed to delay serving the writ in order to break 
up the meeting. The injunction was tried and we 
beat them. They then set men to work cutting wood 
on the camp-ground, to sell, to pay the costs. 

8. The deed conveyed the land to the trustees, in 
trust, that they " shall not cut down or destroy, or 
cause, or permit or allow to be cut down or destroyed, 
the woods or trees, or any part thereof upon said 
piece or lot of land, except as may be necessary for 
the fencing of said lot, or the better fitting of it, for 
the purposes "of holding camp-meetings." We 
therefore got out an injunction restraining them from 
cutting down the timber. 

9. On the trial, the so-called Regency trustees, 
among whom were three Conference preachers, swore 
that " all the trees and timber cut upon said camp- 
ground referred to" in the complaint, "were either 
lying upon the ground, or dead, unsound, and more or 
less decayed." " That said trees were old," " that no 
sound trees have been cut upon said ground ; " "that 
the cutting and removal of said trees " " have not 
only benefited and improved it for the purposes of 
said Association, but was indispensable for the safety 
of those who might attend religious meetings upon 
said ground." 



316 WHY ANOTMMli SECT. 

"We could only swear to the stumps and "wood. We 
found eighty-seven green, sound, stumps — the wood 
was also sound and green. They beat us of course. 

It is scarcely necessary to add, after thus " improv- 
ing " the ground, they ceased to hold camp-meetings 
there, and very soon after sold the ground. 

One of the best lawyers in the state said, after 
thoroughly examining the case, " They have no right 
to that land, either in law, or in equity." But we 
have neither time nor taste for litigation, even were it 
an easy matter to obtain justice in our courts, against 
a power as great as that of the M. E. Church, aided 
by such secret society influence as it could control. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CONCLUSION. 

I The intelligent reader of the preceding pa- 
ges can hardly fail to see : 

1. That the G-enesee Conference of the M. E. 
Church, stands convicted : 

(1.) Of wickedly expelling several of its 
ministers from the Conference and the chnrch 
without any adequate cause. 

(2.) Of allowing preachers to expel worthy 
members from the church when they had vio- 
lated no laVf of the church. 

(3.) Of permitting its preachers to pronounce 
members in good standing in the church with- 
drawn, d,gainst their most solemn protest. 

(4.) Of covering up iniquity, by refusing to 
entertain complaints, of dishonesty and fraud, 
made by responsible parties against several of 
its preachers. 

2. That the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
as an ecclesiastical organization, for all these 
unchristian and wicked acts of the Genesee 
Conference, has assumed the responsibility be- 
fore God and man, by the action of its General 
Conference, its highest Court of Appeals. 

(1.) In refusing to entertain appeals, from the 



318 WHY ANUTHEK HECT. 

injustice of the Genesee Conference, properly 
brought before it, which the constitution of the 
church requires it to hear and properly decide. 

(2.) By not deciding upon its merits the case 
of Rev. C. D. Burlingham, who appealed to it 
for redress from an unjust and oppressive sen- 
tence, but iniquitously sending it back for a 
new trial when there was nothing to try. 
Whether this evasion of a clear and important 
■duty was owing to a lack of courage to express 
their honest opinion of the sentence of expiilsion 
from the Conference and the church,for the acts 
charged and admitted, or to a desire to shield 
the Genesee Conference from censure for wrong 
doing, it is equally deserving of reprobation. 

(3. ) By not investigating the troubles of the 
Genesee Conference over which they had juris- 
diction, and giving such redress of the griev- 
ances complained of as justice demanded and 
they were able to render. 

3. That historians of the M. E. Church 
seek to perpetuate the wrong, by giving accounts 
of these matters which every one acquainted 
with the facts knows to be untrue; and 
paying no attention to testimony of the highest 
order, when it conflicts with their unfounded 
statements. 

4. We have no hostility towards the M. E. 
Church, its ministry, or its members. We love 



\ CONCLUSION. 319 

all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, 
and we love no one the less because he belongs 
to the M. E. Church. Many in that church 
who love the truth, will be glad to learn the 
real facts in the case, as they have .heard only 
misrepresentations. These misrepresentations 
repeated by parties in whom they have been 
.accustomed to place confidence, they have in- 
nocently received as true. We have endeavored 
to state everything fairly, without exaggeration, 
and are certain we have done it without malice. 
We have the kindest feelings towards all. 



APPEI^DIX. 



At a Convention held at Pekin, in August, 1860, 
the Free Methodist Discipline was adopted, and B.T. 
Roberts elected General Superintendent. 

The Genesee Conference of the Free Methodist 
Church was organised at Rushford, Allegany County, 
N. Y., under the Discipline, in October, 'I860. 

Five preachers were received into full connection, 
all of whom had been preachers in the M. E. Church. 

Seven preachers were received on probation., 

The total number of members reported we do not 
find recorded. 

The Western Conference of the Free Methodist 
Church was organized under the Discipline, at 
"Wayne, DuPage County, Ills., June. 14, 1861. 

Three preachers were received into full connection, 
one of whom had been recently pastor of a Congre- 
gational church, and one, years before, had been a 
traveling preacher in the M. E. Church. 

Twenty preachers were admitted on probation. 

The total number of members reported was 511. 

The first General Conference was held in October, 
1862. 

We give statistics for that year, and for each sub- 
sequent four years : 

1862 1866 1870 1874 18T8 

Members, 2,498 4,889 6,556 7,466 10,682 
Preachers, 35 85 128 137 313 

Value of Church property, $358,290 



APPJENDIX. 331 

Of the preachers now belonging to the Free Meth- 
odist Conferences, only nineteen, we believe, ever be- 
longed to any Conference in the M. E. Church. So 
there does not seem to be any propriety in calling 
this mqvement a secession. 

They have twelve Annual Conferences, extending 
from New York to Kansas. 

They have founded two schools, of the rank of 
academies, which are in successful operation — one at 
North Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., the other at Spring 
Arbor, Jackson Co., Mich. 

There is, under the patronage of the denomination,, 
a monthly magazine, The Earnest Christian, de- 
voted to experimental and practical piety. It was 
started in 1860 by its present editor and publisher,. 
Rev. B. T, Roberts : also a weekly paper. The Free 
Methodist, published by Messrs. Baker & Arnold, at. 
Sycamore, Ills. They also publish two Sabbath-school 
papers. The Pearl and The Lily. 

As far as we can judge, the denomination is, on the 
whole, iu a nourishing condition. 



'THV EARNEST CHRISTIAN" PUBLICATIONS. 



CONTAINING A 

Reyiew of Articles liy Bishop Siipson 

AND OTHERS ON THE 

FREE METHODIST CHURCH. 



By rev. B. T. ROBERTS, A. M. 



TABLE OP CONTENTS. 

I. — ^Bishop Simpson on the Free Methodist Church. 
II. — Nazarite Organization. 
III. — Facts in the Case. 
IV.^ — ^Secret Meetings. 

V. — Religion of the Majority. 
VI. — The Proscribed Religion. 
VII— Church Trials. 
VIII. — Two Expulsions. 
IX. — Laymen's Convention. 
X. — War Against the Mem.bers. 
XI. — More Preachers Expelled, 
XII. — Expulsion by Wholesale. 
XIII.— The Appeals. 
XIV. — Reviews. 
XV. — Conclusion. 
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